Hawaii prepares to welcome thousands of attendees for FestPAC celebrations

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday joined three local artists in unveiling a 2,000-foot He Lei Ho’okipa mural outside the state Capitol to celebrate FestPAC.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority, which funded the mural’s creation, hopes that the message of ho’okipa (hospitality) will extend to thousands of attendees flocking to Hawaii for the festival.

“We were intent on welcoming people in the right way, this welcomes people in the right way, with this beautiful mural,” Green said, at the unveiling. “It is something to honor them, it is larger than life. It is a meaningful symbol and message of aloha and unity.”

SPECIAL SECTION: FestPac

Meanwhile, at the Hawaii Convention Center, more local artists and community members worked to construct multiple cultural and interactive exhibits as part of the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. It’s the first time the large event has been held in Hawaii.

“The festival can be life-changing,” said Dr. Makanani Sala, FestPAC director of operations.

“Hawaii is home to such a large diaspora of Pacific Islanders, and this is a chance for us to say, ‘We see you, we see where you are, we see who you are.’”

The first floor at the Hawaii Convention Center hosts the largest exhibit, the Festival Village, which includes dozens of hales — one for each nation represented — and a 24-foot immersive wall of stars. Click here for more information on FestPAC, which starts Thursday.

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