Festa Italiana, Hawaii’s Italian festival, offers both locals and visitors an opportunity to taste the many amazing flavors of Italy in one extraordinary evening. After a successful first year, the festival will return to Honolulu’s vibrant Kakaako District on Saturday, October 6th.
Festa Italiana was born out of a vision to bring to the islands the beauty and passion of the Italian culture. Festa is a one-day street festival that includes a VIP experience called “Passaporto Italiano,” which features a myriad of authentic Italian and Italian-inspired experiences that will transport festivalgoers from the heart of the Pacific to the heart of Italy. The evening will be filled with authentic Italian cuisine, music, art, entertainment and street performers. Twenty area restaurants will be participating, as well as vendors and renowned chefs from Italy.
The event will feature a variety of exciting art and live entertainment throughout the evening. This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Pastor Tom Iannucci, owner of Pietro’s Pizza, Kauai’s only Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizzeria. Live music performances will take place on the Main Stage and in the streets.
The beer and wine garden will feature a selection of Italian wines and spirits made available through Southern Wine & Spirits. Oenophiles will take their senses on a wine-filled journey through the various wine regions of Italy. Menabrea, Italy’s oldest brewery, is the official beer of Festa Italiana. One of Menabrea’s trademark ingredients is pure water from the Alps.
From 6:00 to 9:00pm, guests can eat and drink their way through Italy in the Passaporto Italiano VIP experience, featuring exceptional cuisine prepared by chefs from ten restaurants from Hawaii and the mainland.
“An Italian festival has been long overdue in Hawaii,” said Zach DiIonno, Festa Italiana co-founder and event director. “Festa Italiana will deliver to the Hawaiin community the spirit of la bella vita.”
The festival is produced by the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii. Established in 1990, it is dedicated to promoting Italian culture, traditions and history. For the most up-to-date information on this year’s Festa Italiana, please visit www.festaitalianahawaii.com.
