Rather than competing with the King Kamehameha Floral Parade, Peters-Nguyen said the Pan-Pacific Festival is a collaborative celebration of Pacific arts and culture. Last week Kintetsu delivered a $5,000 check to the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission as a "gesture of support for their sister festival," Peters-Nguyen said.

On Friday evening the Pan-Pacific Ho'olaule'a, a block party, will be held on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. From 6 to 10 p.m. the street will be closed to cars so pedestrians can enjoy the craft booths, food stalls and musical entertainment — including a special musical performance by former sumo wrestling star Konishiki.

On Saturday, a folk art festival at Kapi'olani Park will celebrate both Hawaiian and Japanese arts and crafts. "It's an educational opportunity to teach people about the differences and similarities between the two cultures," Peters-Nguyen said. The folk art festival is a joint event of the Pan-Pacific Festival and the King Kamehameha Celebration. Experts will demonstrate Japanese and Hawaiian weaponry, poi making vs. mochi pounding and washi paper vs. tapa making.

The highlight of the festival will be the Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade at sunset on Sunday. Taiko drummers, dancers, and the Konishiki Kids Club, a group of local seventh-graders led by Konishiki, will march from Fort DeRussy to Kapi'olani Park.