The bright colors, delicious cuisine and amazing performances of the annual Honolulu Festival will soon make their way onto our island.

This year’s 23rd extravaganza takes place from March 10 through March 12, and like years before, promotes the idea of ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim region.

With so much buzz surrounding the popular celebration, we can bet that most Oahu residents have attended all or at least some of the events that make up the Honolulu Festival. So we got to thinking, instead of simply showing up this year, why not take the excitement for the iconic festival to the next level?

By volunteering in one of the festival’s grand events, you can not only be in the center of the fun, but can also play a critical role in ensuring that the spirit of Aloha is enjoyed by the more than 20,000 festival guests.

Here are ways you can provide your support for the many different activities taking place at this year’s Honolulu Festival.

 

Educational School Tour | March 10 from 8am to 1pm

The Educational Tour is an opportunity for the local students from elementary through high school to observe behind-the-scenes of the Honolulu Festival. The students can also experience various traditions and cultures from around the world.

  • Reception
    • assisting with group check-in and assigning them to the tour.
  • Tour Escort
    • escorting the groups to the tour.
  • Booth Time Keeper
    • managing the time to ensure that the groups will be able to visit each booth.
  • Bon Dance
    • encouraging students to join the bon dance.
    • participating in the bon dance.

Supplies: T-shirt, lunch provided

 

Film Festival | March 11 & March 12 from 9:45am to 1pm and 12:45pm to 4pm

The 4th Annual Film Festival will be screening various Japanese films hosted by the Japanese Consulate and the Japan Foundation.

  • Reception
    • welcoming guests.
    • presenting information on the film’s title and its running time.
    • collecting donations from guests.
  • Usher/Operation
    • ushering guests to the third floor.
    • supporting the staff members during the film.

Supplies: T-shirt, lunch provided

 

Seminar & Movie | March 11 & March 12 from 11:30am to 4pm

The biopic of “Sugihara Chiune, Persona Non Grata” will be screened as well, which the guest speaker Mr. Akira Kitade will be sharing his story of during this event.

  • Reception
    • welcoming guests.
    • presenting the information on the film’s title and its running time.
  • Usher
    • ushering guests to the third floor.
  • Operation
    • supporting the staff members during the film.
  • Donation
    • collecting donations from guests.

Supplies: T-shirt, lunch provided

 

Grand Parade | March 12 from 4pm to 7pm and 5pm to 8pm
The Grand Parade is where you can enjoy watching spectacular performances such as hula dance and Japanese mikoshi (portable shrine) on the streets of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.

For more information about the Grand Parade, please click here.

  • Placard
    • walking along Kalakaua Avenue from Saratoga Road to Kapahulu Avenue
      (approximately one mile).
      * You may be requested for two or three rotations.
  • Honolulu Daijayama／Neputa／Saitama Ryujin-kai／Mikoshi Maui, Children & Inaho
    • participating in pushing the huge carts and floats of the traditional Japanese festivals along Kalakaua Avenue from Saratoga Road to Kapahulu Avenue (approximately one mile).

Supplies: T shirt, water bottle, MacDonald’s coupon provided

 

DaijayamaDance Practice and Parade | March 11 from 2pm to 4pm and March 12 from 5pm to 8pm

The Daijayama is a famous festival in the northern part of Kyushu. Their traditional dance is enjoyed by many.

  • Daijayama Dancer
    • participating in the Daijayama dance to excite the finale of the Grand Parade.
      *You must be able to attend on 3/11 (practice session) and 3/12 (Grand Parade).
      Click here to view a video of a past performance.

 

HCC Receptionist | March 11 and March 12 from 9am to 1pm, 1pm to 4pm *times are subject to change

  • Information
    • greeting visitors by the entrance.
    • passing out event programs.
    • required to stand during your entire shift.

Supplies: T-shirt, lunch provided (lunch will be provided only for four-hour shift.)

 

Parade Flyer Bearer | March 12 from 3pm to 5pm *time is subject to change

  • Flyer Giver
    • passing out event programs to visitors on Kalakaua Avenue.
      *You are expected to walk from Saratoga Road to Marriott Hotel (approximately two miles) and back to Saratoga Road. Approximately, 1,000 programs will be passed out before the parade begins.

Supplies: Water bottle, MacDonald’s coupon provided

 

Click here for the Volunteer Application Form to the 2017 Honolulu Festival.