Event Details

Tanabata Japanese Star Festival

If you are visiting the island of Hawaiʻi on Saturday 19 August, come and join the Tanabata Festival to enjoy fun activities and crafts for the whole 'ohana!

Celebrate the Star Festival and Japanese culture through live presentations, performances, arts and crafts, and special planetarium programs.

See the Moanahōkū schedule .

Bon Dance Lessons — Learn Bon Dance with Hilo Daijingu Bon Odori member Hii Kairau and members of the Hilo High School Japan Club.

10:30 a.m.

The Story of Tanabata — Learn the story of Tanabata as told by the Hilo High School Japan Club.

12:05 a.m.

Sanshin — Join us for a traditional sanshin performance presented by Ryukyu Koten Afuso-ryu Ongaku Kenkyu Choichi Kai U.S.A. Established in 1983, the school is the first to be established outside of Japan to perpetuate Ryukyuan classical Afuso-ryu music.

12:45 p.m.

The Tanabata Japanese Star Festival at ʻImiloa is sponsored by Subaru Telescope, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, TMT International Observatory, KTA Super Stores, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaiʻi, Japanese Community Association of Hawaiʻi, and Waiakea Water.

The Tanabata Festival is a FREE event and everyone is welcome to join!