The Pan-Pacific Hula Festival celebrates the traditional dance of Hawaii.
The visually mesmerizing hula supposedly was bequeathed to the Hawaiian people by a goddess who also looked after matters of love. The dance, best known for the swaying of hips and hands, is at times sensuously fluid, and at others, boisterously dramatic. The Pan-Pacific Hula Festival celebrates this ethnic art form, and is part of the multicultural Pan-Pacific Festival held the second weekend in June. Immerse yourself in the varied cultures of Hawaii through song, dance, storytelling and the sampling of foods from around the Pacific Rim and beyond.
The Dance That Tells a Story
Pele, the fire goddess, oversees the volcanoes that create new land. Her sister Laka brings the rain, taking that barren landscape and transforming it into the lush tropical landscape that is Hawaii. Laka, also considered the goddess of love, is credited with teaching the Hawaiian people the art of storytelling through song and dance. In pre-missionary days, Hawaiians would build an altar and fill it with fragrant flowers and plants before performing the hula. After the celebration, the plants were offered to Laka at a nearby beach or stream. The missionaries arrived in Hawaii in the 1830s and banned the hula, thinking it "heathen." Although queen regent Kaahumanu made the ban official, the dance never truly died out. In 1874, King David Kalakaua, also known as the "Merrie Monarch," gave hula his official blessing, allowing it to be performed legally in public.
Pan-Pacific Festival History
Immigrants from Asia, the Americas and European countries were drawn to Hawaii by the promise of work in the sugar cane and pineapple fields. Many workers came from Japan, a country also steeped in tradition. By the 1920s, a large part of the Hawaiian population was of Japanese descent. Fast-forward a few decades, and Japan becomes a major player in Hawaii's tourist industry. In 1980, the Matsuri celebration debuted in Waikiki. The word means "festival," and indeed, it did highlight aspects of Japanese life. Over time, other Pacific Rim cultures began to participate in Matsuri, including native Hawaiians showcasing the hula. The event name later was changed to "Pan-Pacific Festival" to reflect Hawaii's diverse population.
Kuhio Beach Park Hula Celebration
Kuhio Beach Park is on the quieter end of Waikiki Beach, fronting Kalakaua Ave. It is named after Prince Kuhio, who once lived on this stretch of sand. No hotels line this part of the beach, but it does have a protective breakwater, making it a draw for families with small children. The Hula Festival is held under a large banyan tree in the middle of a large grassy area. Dancers from local haulas, or schools, and visiting groups perform during all three days of the festival. Performance times vary, but normally, shows begin in the early evening. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and settle down on the lawn for the free shows. The Hawaiian sunsets are a delightful bonus.
Pan-Pacific Festival Events
The Pan-Pacific Hoolaulea is one giant block party that takes up most of Kalakaua Ave along Waikiki Beach. This Friday-night happening, in concert with the first round of hula performances at Kuhio Beach Park, is free, vibrant and entertaining. Booths set up along the street and on park grounds offer local foods and products, all within steps of many Waikiki hotels. The Pan-Pacific Parade is held on Sunday night, an unofficial close to the festival. If you're lucky to have a hotel room that faces Kalakaua Ave., you'll have a front 0-ow seat. The hula performances at Kuhio Beach Park continue until long after dark. The Performing Arts Showcase presentations are held at the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage and at the Ala Moana Mall, both on the western end of Waikiki. These free performances are scheduled throughout the festival.
Where to Stay
Waikiki literally has thousands of hotel rooms within blocks of the beach, and is the most convenient place to stay during the Pan-Pacific Festival. Hotels closest to Kuhio Beach Park include the Pacific Beach Hotel, and the Aston Waikiki Circle, both right across the street from the park's center. If you're looking for a more upscale property, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, and the beachfront Moana Surfrider, now under the Westin banner, are within a block. The latter property dates back to 1901, and is one of the iconic landmarks of Waikiki. As far as getting around, forget the car. Parking and driving in Waikiki are a challenge every day, let alone during the festival. Take a shuttle, cab or TheBus, Oahu's public transit system, and arrive in Waikiki relaxed and ready to party.
Tags: Beach Park, Kuhio Beach, Kuhio Beach Park, Pan-Pacific Festival, Hula Festival, Waikiki Beach, Festival celebrates