Posted at 3:03 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2006

Layout of Pan-Pacific Festival Ho'olaule'a released

Festival events and performance locations ( Adobe Acrobat - PDF)

Advertiser Staff

The Ho'olaule'a takes place 7 to 10 p.m. today on Kalakaua Avenue, from Lewers Street to Ka'iulani. Food booths, multicultural exhibits and entertainment such as taiko drumming, Japanese folk dance and hula are planned. Former sumo star Konishiki and friends is also scheduled to take the stage in concert, and Hiroshi "Harold" Hishinuma, who was awarded the Pan-Pacific Silversword Award for preserving cultural arts, and the Honolulu Fukushima Bon Dance Club of which he is vice president, will be among the performers on the bon dance stage in front of the Moana. Admission is free.

Other events this weekend, as part of the festival:

• A BioKite demonstration and exhibit, noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday (as part of the Kamehameha celebration's Na Hana No'eau O Ka Pakipika) and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Kapi'olani Park. What, you ask is a BioKite? Invented by Japan's Toshio Ito, these kites are more aerodynamic, easier to launch and can fly higher and longer than regular kites. Free.
• The sixth annual hula festival, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Ala Moana's Centerstage, featuring dancers from around the Pacific Rim.
• A Performing Arts Showcase, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Ala Moana's Centerstage.; and 1 to 3 p.m. today, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center stage. Traditional Japanese performances and groups from Hawai'i will be showcased. Free.
• Parade, 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, beginning at Fort DeRussy, along Kalakaua Avenue and ending at Kapi'olani Park. More than 1,000 marchers are expected to take part in a colorful procession that also includes floats from Japan. Free. www.pan-pacific-festival.com