Saturday Briefing

By Nancy Daniels -

Miyagi University’s dance troupe Kosuzume perform the sparrow dance

Once again, Waikiki Beach Walk was one of the venues for residents and visitors to enjoy the many performing groups that came to town to participate in the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival.

While the inclement weather on Saturday, March 14, made for a wet day, the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the groups who took to the stage and the spectators who weathered the showers to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Honolulu Festival. The sun came out the following day, allowing larger crowds to enjoy the vibrant colors, spectacular sights, and beautiful sounds that filled the outdoor plaza at Waikiki Beach Walk.

Australian aboriginal dance troupe Descendance

One group who performed that weekend made an encore appearance at Waikiki Beach Walk the following Tuesday. The Australian aboriginal dance troupe – Descendance – came back for a repeat show in conjunction with Waikiki Beach Walk’s regularly scheduled programming of Kū Ha‘aheo, “To Cherish with Pride,” which is held every Tuesday afternoon from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Waikiki Beach Walk Plaza Stage.

A big mahalo to the following for their tremendous team efforts in making the 15th Annual Honolulu Festival happen — JTB Staffers and Kumi Yoshiyama, Wackenhut Security, Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® and Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk Front Desk Staff and Engineering departments, Embassy Suites’ Food & Beverage department, Blaine Kia, Kaleo Boi Kia, Sheryl Yee, Sara Malaqui Lougheed, and Michael Lougheed. They performed like a fine-tuned Rolls Royce!

The Honolulu Festival began in 1995 to promote cultural understanding and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Outrigger Enterprises Group is pleased to be a part of this great event, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s Honolulu Festival.