Culture, food, fun at the Ninth Annual Korean Festival at Kapiolani Park

The Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce will host the Ninth Annual Korean Festival on Saturday, July 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kapiolani Park and Bandstand. The one-day free admission event will feature Korean music, dance, food, cultural displays, and family activities, as well as Korean-made and local products. Over 40,000 Hawaii residents and visitors are expected to attend.

Special performances will include Korean pop star Kim Bum Yong, hyang-piri musician Kim Ho Seok, and folk dancer Kim Dae Gyun. It will also feature cooking demonstrations by chef Kim On Jin. Other highlights include a Kimchee eating contest, a Korean Song Contest, and all-day entertainment and performances by local Korean dance studios, and others.

Scrip will be sold for food, product, and some activities. Parking for Saturday is available at Kapiolani Community College and a free shuttle will be provided.

This annual festival unites the local Korean community as more than 400 volunteers representing more than 40 Korean and local organizations come out to support the event. The net proceeds from the festival will be used to improve the Korean and larger community in Hawaii. These activities have included trade and tourism missions; support of business-friendly legislation; student scholarships; free seminars about personal finance for senior citizens and immigrants, and taxation and business regulations; and other community outreach and service projects.

The Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, established in 1940, is one of the oldest Korean organizations in Hawaii. The Chamber’s mission is to perpetuate goodwill among the Korean community. For more information, visit www.koreanfestivalhawaii.com or call (808) 792-9321.