Hawaiʻi is set to host the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) from June 6 to June 16, 2024. The event will commence with an opening ceremony at the Stan Sheriff Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, which will be televised and livestreamed on Hawai‘i News Now.
The festival village will be open daily from June 7 to June 15, excluding June 9, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. An ecumenical service will take place on June 9 at the Stan Sheriff Center and will also be livestreamed. The closing ceremony is scheduled for June 16 and will be broadcasted similarly.
Additional FestPAC events include art exhibits at Capitol Modern and the Hawai‘i Convention Center, a carving and tattoo showcase at Bishop Museum, conferences and symposia at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, and a wa‘a community festival at Kualoa Regional Park on June 8. Heritage dance, traditional music, and contemporary music groups will perform across various venues in O‘ahu.
Aaron J. Salā, Ph.D., festival director of the 13th FestPAC, emphasized the significance of the event: “For more than 50 years, FestPAC has served as the primary stage for honoring and preserving Pacific arts and culture. It presents a rare and unparalleled chance for Hawai‘i to exhibit our cultural legacy alongside our broader Pacific ‘ohana, nurturing a greater comprehension and respect for the collective identity of the Pacific.”
Salā added that by offering free access to most events, they aim to create an inclusive space for residents and visitors to celebrate this important cultural event.
Governor Green and First Lady Green joined Festival Director Salā in announcing members of Hawai‘i’s delegation during a news conference at Washington Place. Kamana‘opono Crabbe will lead this delegation.
The full schedule of FestPAC events can be found at www.festpachawaii.org/schedule.