Pacific Pride: The 13th FestPAC Hits Our Shores

Every four years since 1972, leaders from around the Pacific have gathered in a different island nation to celebrate the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture, or FestPAC. The latest event—Hawai‘i’s first as host—was delayed by the pandemic but finally takes place June 6 to 16, with dozens of ways for the public to engage.

“After the postponement of the festival in 2020 … we are finally able to come together with our Pacific family to learn from each other, to celebrate our unique Pacific cultures and to collectively consider how we will navigate the challenges of the futures we face,” says Aaron Salā, festival director.

Many local leaders have long thought that Hawai‘i could be a model for the rest of the world in areas such as climate change and sustainability. At this year’s FestPAC, they’ll have a chance to share their ideas and collaborate with delegates from 28 nations.

This year’s theme, Ho‘oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania, focuses on six pillars, including visual, performing, heritage and culinary arts. The public can get involved by attending exhibits and performances at Bishop Museum, Capitol Modern, ‘Iolani Palace, Kawaiaha‘o Church, Kapi‘olani Park, Kualoa Regional Park, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pālama Settlement, Kapolei Regional Park and UH Mānoa.

“Hawai‘i’s hosting of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Salā says. “Not just a celebration of cultural practice and artistic expression, the festival is a testament to the incredible resilience of Pacific peoples.”

festpachawaii.org, @festpachawaii

SEE ALSO: Capitol Modern Invites You to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture

Notable Events

Much like the Olympic Games, the quadrennial FestPAC will be bookended by a parade of nations at the opening ceremony and a passing of the torch to the next host at the closing ceremony, both held at UH Mānoa’s T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The schedule of more than 50 events over 10 days is available at festpachawaii.org. Highlights include:

Festival Village & Marketplace

Cultural practitioners, such as weavers, fiber artists and jewelry makers, will demonstrate their crafts and sell their wares at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. See what the Festival Village is like in this reel.

The fashion showcase at the Festival Village on June 12 featuring designers and models from Guåhan, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Norfolk Island and Sāmoa. The show concluded with a special performance by Miss Sāmoa and Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safa‘ato‘a Schwenke. See more of the styles and performances in this reel.

Film Festival 

In addition to screenings, keep an eye out for panel discussions, lectures and workshops.

Carvers Showcase 

Many Pacific cultures have rich carving traditions, which will be on display at Bishop Museum.

50th Anniversary Exhibition 

Though it’s only the 13th FestPAC, the festival has been around for more than 50 years. Look back at its history in this exhibit at Capitol Modern, where you’ll also find Our Sea of Islands, an exhibit of works from Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners.

Heritage dance performances by Taiwan, Palau and Nauru at the Royal Hawaiian Center.