Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
KImchi Day Festival returns to Makiki District Park Field to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of Korean immigration to the islands. This year’s lineup is jam-packed with festivities, from K-Pop song and dance contests to kim chee classes to, wait for it, a two-person boks throwing tournament! Of course, if you’re just looking for some tasty kim chee, local restaurants and vendors have you covered.
Editor’s note: Although the spelling “kim chee” is commonly seen in Hawai’i and in HONOLULU magazine, we will use “kimchi” when referring to the festival and the day.
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Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
what is
The Kimchi Day Festival is a celebration of Korean culture with food vendors, as well as an all-day entertainment program featuring music and dance performances, kim chee cooking demonstrations, and a variety of contests, including a best homemade kim chee contest, a kim chee jun eating contest, and a boks throwing tournament.
Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
When and Where
The Kimchi Day Festival will be Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Makiki District Park Field, 1527 Ke’eaumoku St.
how much does it cost
Entry is free. Food and products can be purchased with cash or card.
Where to park
FREE VININE IS AVAILABLE IN LOL BUILDER. (1927 The Christians begin (1629 Knight.).
what to eat
Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Kim Chee
The following types of kim chee will be available for purchase at £2. for $15 and 4 lbs. for $25:
- Original Kim Chee
- Cucumber Kim Chee
- Green onion kim chee
- Rave Kim Chee
- Sliced kim chee
- Bok choy kim chee
Photo: Andrea Lee
Food vendors
- Apron Boys
- And Chicken
- Korean BBQ Gene
- construction
- Hawai’i Christ Church
- Jagalchi
- In the queue
- Uni Sweets Bakery & Tea
what to do
- Won the Bok Toss Tournament: Bring a partner and a winning strategy to throw a won bok back and forth at increasing distances using a shallow wash basket. The tournament will start at 11.00 am. At 12:35 p.m., the finalists head to the main stage for a tryout of championship medals and gift certificates. More information about the tournament rules.
- Best Homemade Kim Chee Contest: Our local restaurants make great kim chee, but we know some of you keep your golden talents to yourself. Find out who makes the best homemade kim chee at 11:30am Sign up for the competition until Friday, November 14.
- Kim Chee Jun-Eating Contest: Think you can quickly eat two pounds of Kim Chee Jun? Ten participants will show their skills at 1:40 p.m. Participants may bring their own non-alcoholic beverages such as water or soda. Learn how to sign up on Saturday, November 22 and review the rules of the contest here.
- Make your own Kim Chee class: Have you ever wondered how to make won bok or cucumber kim chee? Chef Daniel Kim will show you how it’s done, done, done. Sign up for a 45 minute class at 2pm or 4pm for $22 per person. Places are therefore limited sign up early
- K-Pop Song Contest: It’s time to show everyone what victory sounds like. The contest starts at 2pm and the winner takes home a $100 cash prize and a special gift. If you want to compete, sign up until Friday, November 14.
- K-Pop Dance Competition: Beat the competition with your smooth moves and sharp looks. The contest begins at 2:45 p.m., and the winner takes home a $100 cash prize and a special gift. If you want to compete, sign up until Friday, November 14.
- The children’s area will feature face painting, archery and Yut Nori, a traditional Korean board game for the keiki to enjoy.
Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Entertainment schedule
10 a.m welcome
10:05 a.m This the pacifists
10:30 a.m Moanalua High School Orchestra
11 a.m The Won Bok Toss contest area opens
11:10 a.m Senior dance with reason
11:30 a.m Best Homemade Kim Chee Contest
12:35 p.m Won the final of the Bok Toss
12:45 p.m Tradewinds (local band)
1:40 p.m Kim Chee Jun Eating Contest
2 in the afternoon K-Pop song contest
2 in the afternoon Kim Chee-Making Class (pre-registration required)
2:45 p.m K-Pop dance competition
3 in the afternoon O’Kim’s special Kim Chee stand opens
3 in the afternoon K-Pop Demon Hunters photo booth opens
3:30 p.m K-Pop Demon Hunters Sing-A-Long
4 p.m Kim Chee-Making Class (pre-registration required)
4:15 p.m Maryknoll School Samoan Club
4:30 p.m Jonathan Kim (violinist)
4:45 p.m Go Go Janggu (Korean Traditional Drummers)
5 in the afternoon Hawai’i’s favorite Korean entertainers
5:50 p.m Kim Chee Slap
6 in the afternoon Korean K-Pop Night Dance Party
Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Tips
- There is little seating or cover available in the field, so plan ahead and bring mats and chairs if you want to eat at the festival.
- Bring reusable bags or coolers to keep your food fresh and take your Kim Chee with you.
- If you have your eye on a particular vendor or type of kim chee, try to get there early, as some of the vendors sold out of kim chee last year during the first few hours of the festival!
Kimchi Day Festival, Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Makiki District Park Field, 1527 Ke’eaumoku St., Makiki, hawaiihanin.org
Alexander Pang is a contributor to HONOLULU Magazine and Frolic Hawai’i.
