Celebrate the Diverse Cultures of the Pacific Islands at the Aquarium’s Nineteenth Annual Festival

June 24, 2022

WHAT: Everyone is invited to celebrate Pacific Islander cultures at the Aquarium of the Pacific during its nineteenth annual Pacific Islander Festival on June 4 and 5, 2022. Experience the cultures of Pacific islands, including Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, Chamorro, Marshallese, Māori, and Fijian. This weekend festival will feature cultural displays, artisanal craft demonstrations, live music and dance performances, and an award ceremony.

The Aquarium is honoring Neritha Kelani Silk, the founder and executive director of Marshallese Youth of Orange County, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the health, education, and cultural edification of Marshallese students of Southern California. Silk is a leader in the Pacific Islander community, serving on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Pacific Islanders Community Council, Pacific Islanders Health Partnership, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance. She has also represented the Marshallese community at the national level to ensure her community’s priorities are heard, attending policy meetings, briefings, and conventions in Washington, D.C. She preserves and shares cultural heritage, including by teaching traditional weaving and dance workshops at the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach. This festival for all ages is included with general admission to the Aquarium. Guests are also invited to explore the Aquarium’s Tropical Pacific Gallery to get-up close with marine life found off the coast of Pacific islands from colorful reef fish to sea turtles. Advance reservations are required for everyone. Please visit the event webpage for more details and safety protocols.

WHEN: Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST: Included with general admission: $36.95 per adult (ages 12+), $26.95 per child (ages 3-11),
$33.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three

RSVP/INFO: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/pacific_islander_festival/ Advance reservations are required for everyone. Please visit the event webpage for the latest safety protocols and details.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, June 4:
10:00 a.m. Hawaiian Dance by Hula Halau ‘O Lilinoe / Honda Blue Cavern
10:45 a.m. Hawaiian Dance by Hula Halau ‘O Lilinoe / Honda Blue Cavern
11:10 a.m. Hula Implements Demonstration / Shark Lagoon
11:30 a.m. Hawaiian Dance by Hula Halau ‘O Lilinoe / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
12:15 p.m. Kiribati Dance by Kiribati Islanders / Honda Blue Cavern
1:00 p.m. Kiribati Dance by Kiribati Islanders and Awards Ceremony honoring Neritha Kelani Silk / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
1:45 p.m. Kiribati Dance by Kiribati Islanders / Honda Blue Cavern
2:30 p.m. Tahitian and Samoan Dance by No Hawaiki Nui / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
2:55 p.m. Tahitian Dance Lesson / Shark Lagoon
3:15 p.m. Tahitian and Tongan Dance by No Hawaiki Nui / Honda Blue Cavern
4:00 p.m. Tahitian and Māori Dance by No Hawaiki Nui / Honda Pacific Visions Theater

Sunday, June 5:
10:00 a.m. Tahitian Dance by Tupua Productions / Honda Blue Cavern
10:45 a.m. Māori Dance by Tupua Productions / Honda Blue Cavern
11:10 a.m. Samoan Slap Dance Demonstration / Shark Lagoon
11:30 a.m. Hawaiian Dance by Tupua Productions / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
12:15 p.m. Chamoru Music and Dance by Kutturan Chamoru / Honda Blue Cavern
1:00 p.m. Chamoru Music and Dance by Kutturan Chamoru / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
1:45 p.m. Chamoru Music and Dance by Kutturan Chamoru / Honda Blue Cavern
2:30 p.m. Hawaiian Dance by Hālau Nā Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
2:55 p.m. Māori Poi Balls Demonstration / Shark Lagoon
3:15 p.m. Māori and Hawaiian Dance by Hālau Nā Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe / Honda Blue Cavern
4:00 p.m. Tahitian Dance by Hālau Nā Pua Lehua I Ka Ua Noe / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
All programs subject to change and weather dependent. All festival programs are 15-20 minutes.

Cultural Demonstrators & Exhibitors:
Saturday:
Kiribati Dancers and Pacific Rising – Great Hall
Fijian Cultural Display – Great Hall
Hawaiian Cultural Display – Great Hall
Marshall Islands Cultural Display – Great Hall

Sunday:
Kiribati Dancers and Pacific Rising – Great Hall
Fijian Cultural Display – Great Hall
Hawaiian Cultural Display – Great Hall
Marshall Islands Cultural Display – Great Hall
Tongan Cultural Display – Great Hall