Day 163: Hawaiian Festival at Esther Short Park

Day 163 of 365…

Aloha Vancouver! It’s time for the third annual Hawaiian Festival this weekend! That’s right, Friday, July 30th from 5pm to 9pm and this Saturday, July 31st from 11am to 7pm you can experience a little of the islands right here in good ol Vancouver, WA.

Hapa Haole Hula Competition

The following is from the Hawaiian Festival website:

Hapa Haole Music Lives! Join us for a celebration of Waikiki’s wacky era of hula & music. In keeping with the hapa-haole tradition, all songs within each category must be sung in English and the theme of the performance must be about Hawaii. Prizes and recognition will be awarded to the winners. Winning soloists and groups will be showcased at the following day’s Ho`ike and Hawaiian Festival.

Ho’Ike and Hawaiian Festival

Over 8,000 visitors have swayed to the rhythm as hula dancers, Portland, Taiko, Native Tribal dancers, and Polynesian singers filled the park with the heartbeat of their cultures. Arts, Crafts, and food vendors will round out this two day long outdoor festival which is now considered the third largest annual event at Esther Short Park. Nominated Outstanding Event & Cultural Event by the SW Washington Visitors & Convention Bureau, four years in a row. This is a free event.

All the festivities occur at Esther Short Park over the next two days. Put on your favorite Hawaiian shirt and head over to check it out.

Thanks to Automania for the Hula photograph!