What’s free to do at the 2025 Honolulu Festival and why this decade-long volunteer ‘keeps coming back for more’

The 29th annual Honolulu Festival showcasing ​​performers from the Pacific Rim will take place this week from March 7 to 9 on Oʻahu. It expects to draw 15,000 attendees, per the Hawaiʻi Convention Center events calendar. 

According to organizers, the expanded performers lineup will feature 91 cultural groups – more than double the amount of entertainers last year – and will have a second stage at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The festival returned in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to pandemic-related issues.

Ted Kubo, president of the Honolulu Festival Foundation, the nonprofit that helps put on the yearly event, said the festival “will have much more this year to offer residents and visitors wanting to enjoy the variety of cultural performances, events and activities that make this such a treasured annual celebration.”

In addition to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, other host sites include Waikīkī Beach Walk and Ala Moana Center’s Centerstage, which will both offer free performances for the public. 

“Ala Moana Center is honored to once again be a part of the Honolulu Festival, a tradition that brings together the rich heritage and artistic expressions of cultures throughout the Pacific,” said General Manager Jaymes Bell in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors for a weekend of great performances and shared experiences.”

For the first time, the Honolulu Festival Foundation will charge admission for its offerings on the first floor of the Hawai‘i Convention Center such as the trade show, craft and snacks fair, art markets, bon dances and more. Patrons at or under age 18 get in free.

See cost breakdown below:

General Admission for pre-sale

One-day: Adults: $8

Seniors (65+): $6

Two-day: Adults: $12

Seniors (65+): $9

General Admission at the door daily rate

Adults: $10

Seniors (65+): $8

Note: If purchasing your ticket at the door, it is recommended you bring your driver’s license or school ID to help volunteers verify age.

The weekend’s free activities include samplings at the Sake and Food Fest, Enrichi Corner games for keiki, Japanese Film Festival (free screenings located on the third floor, Room 311, of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center), group genki ball toss into the Ala Wai Canal (by donation), and outdoor events like the the Waikīkī Grand Parade and Nagaoka Fireworks Show.

Also for the first time, there will be several sushi-making workshops by a Sushi Ginza Onodera Hawaiʻi chef, included with admission on a first come, first serve basis.

Returning this year is the 5K Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden, which will start at 8 a.m. on Sunday at Kapiʻolani Park. To sign up, visit rainbowekiden.com.

For more information, visit HonoluluFestival.com. Live updates will also be posted on Instagram @HonFestival and Facebook @Honolulu Festival.

Longtime Honolulu Festival volunteer enjoys the ‘positive distraction’

Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Conrad Maranon, who was born and raised on Oʻahu and has volunteered at Honolulu Festival since 2011.

“I was planning to leave Hawaiʻi for the Mainland, so I made a bucket list of what I wanted to do before I left and volunteering in a big community event was one of them,” he said about what initially drew him to the festival. 

Over the years, Maranon has served in various capacities, including as a pusher moving floats and as a musician. This year, he will try his hand as a rope carrier with the Honolulu Daijayama in the Grand Parade. “I just keep coming back for more,” he told ASD.

Maranon added, “the audience participation is the best part” of being involved in the parade.

“What’s most rewarding for me is seeing everybody’s faces down the route – they are in awe of the monstrosity of the structure, the fireworks, smoke and sounds coming out of it. You feed off their energy and excitement.”

For him, the festival is a reminder that living in Hawaiʻi is “special in that it celebrates all cultures, foods and communities, despite our differences.”

“Iʻm grateful for the experiences, and to the people I've met along the way. It's like a reunion each year.”

Maranon also serves with the educational school tours, which teaches children about Japan and the cultural significance of the festival.

When asked what advice he’d give to people looking to volunteer, Maranon said, “Just do it, just volunteer! Have an open heart and an open mind. Do it with your family, friends and colleagues.

“Anybody can watch, but to be in it, it’s awesome!”

When he’s not volunteering, Maranon said he works with high-risk youth, “and in my free time, I’m running, hiking, cooking/eating, or traveling."

“It’s a positive distraction getting involved in community events like this because we take in positivity and we give it out. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.