The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu participated for the tenth time, in the 22nd Honolulu Festival which was held from 11 to 13 March 2016 The Honolulu Festival, Honolulu’s premier annual cultural festival, through its longstanding theme, “Pacific Harmony,” reflects the Honolulu Festival Foundation’s (HFF) vision to share the many cultures of the Pacific region, through an impressive showcase of arts, culture and entertainment. For its 22nd year, the HFF adopted the sub-theme "Cultural Harmony, Journey to Peace”.

To kick off the 22nd Honolulu Festival, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin and Consul Joyleen E. attended a dinner reception at the Japanese Consul General’s Residence on 10 March 2016. Co-hosted by Japanese Consul General Yasushi Misawa and Mr Tsukasa Harufuku, HFF President, the dinner was held to also commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the 2011 Japan Earthquake as well as to thank the sponsors and supporters of the Honolulu Festival through the years. Invited guests include Pacific Fleet Commander and Mrs. Scott Swift, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Hawaii First Lady Dawn Ige.

The following day, on 11 March 2016, Consul General Jamoralin and Cultural Officer Ma. Romina R. Bautista attended the Governor’s Luncheon Reception at Washington Place, the Official Residence of the Governor. Hawaii Governor David Ige thanked the 22nd HF organizers for the success of the past Festivals in perpetuating longstanding cultural event that highlights the diversity of the Hawaii island state through various scheduled events and exhibits.

In the evening, Consul General Jamoralin attended the International Friendship Gala at the Hawaii Convention Center were Festival participants were offered a unique insight into the cultures of the region through cultural performances and regional cuisine by some of Hawaii’s most famous chefs and restaurants including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Nook, Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar, Noi Thai Cusine, Eat Honolulu and Bread + Butter.

The Consulate set up a Philippine booth during the crafts fair at the Hawaii Convention Center on 12-13 March 2016, which showed colorful roll-up banners of popular and up-and-coming travel destinations to the Philippines. Flyers on the Philippine overseas voting, the NOW Tour, other tourism promotion materials, and some consular forms were also given to interested parties. Ready to wear Filipiniana attire were also put on display.

The 22nd Honolulu Festival culminated with the Grand Parade along Kalakaua Avenue on 13 March 2016 which featured performers, floats, groups and marching bands from Pacific Rim countries and Hawaii. The Philippines was represented in the parade by Philippine Airlines, University of Hawaii (UH) students donned in Ati-atihan attire, and BIBAK Hawaii, The parade concluded with a 20-minute Nagaoka Fireworks Show over Waikiki Beach.

The Honolulu Festival is considered to be one of the State of Hawaii’s biggest, grandest and most anticipated festivals. In addition to its cultural significance, Hawaii’s tourism economy benefits as well, with nearly 5,000 visitors coming to Hawaii just to participate in the Festival which comprise most of the 160 groups performing. In its first 21 years, the festival has generated an estimated $200 million total in visitor spending.

As a new addition this year, the Festival welcomed European artists, the Flag Wavers from Faenza, Italy as one of the performers. (END).