Opinion: Tapestry of Pacific ambiguities: Political tensions against the backdrop of FestPac celebrations

The focus of the Festival of Pacific Arts, or FestPac, is always culture, and the 13th iteration held in June 2024 in Hawai’i was no different.  More than two dozen island nations sent delegations of dancers,

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FestPAC closes with fond memories and call to preserve Pacific Arts and Cultures

The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC 2024) ended in Honolulu, Hawaii after 11 days for arts and cultural celebrations fostering fond memories of the event and a huge challenge to preserve Pacific Arts and

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Pacific nations strengthen ties at massive FestPAC celebration in Hawaii

A crowd of thousands bid farewell to the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture on Sunday during a large-scale celebration at the University of Hawaii that hosted delegates from 27 island nations.  FestPAC, hailed

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At FestPAC, a call to preserve the ocean that separates — and connects

All of the 28 nation’s participating in 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture on Oahu are separated by miles of ocean. That same ocean, they say, connects them.  That’s why they’re working to protect the

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‘A Pacific notion of presence’: FestPAC attendees show solidarity for New Caledonia

When Fijian Mika Sela saw New Caledonia’s glaringly empty hale at the Hawaii Convention Centre, the Fiji delegate took his kava bowl and sat alone.  The Indigenous Kanaks of the French territory were forced to

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Hokule’a’s babies: Cook Islands master navigator credits pioneers

In 2024 in Honolulu, the most venerated participants of the 13th Festpac are the voyagers who have arrived by reading the stars, the waves and winds, to close the circle begun by Hawaii’s Hokule’a canoe in the mid

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Solomon Islands arts and crafts fascinate FestPAC visitors

Solomon Islands traditional and contemporary arts and craft displays have captivated the hearts and curiosity of festival visitors heralding the originality, creativity and uniqueness of our arts industry. Despite

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FestPAC gathering strengthens Pacific identity

As the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) enters its second week, Cook Islands Consul General in Aotearoa New Zealand, Keu Mataroa, expresses his deep appreciation for the rich cultural artistry and

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FestPAC 2024: ‘Fight against the extinction of Pacific people’

The world’s largest event celebrating Pacific culture has united thousands of delegates, leaders, performers and spectators through uplifting marginalised indigenous groups fighting extinction and the right to

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FestPAC 2024: ‘One body, one people, one ocean, one Pacific’

“One body, one people, one ocean, one Pacific”, was was Samoa’s powerful statement during the parade of nations at the official opening of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC).  It was

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Opinion: FestPAC: Protecting Oceania and charting future voyages 

It’s the first time the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, which starts Thursday, will be held in Hawaii.  The Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific

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Hawaii officials say they’re ready to host FestPAC as nations begin arriving 

Hawaii officials say they are ready to host the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture next week.  FestPAC, the largest gathering of Pacific Islanders, is anticipated to draw more than 100,000 people and over 2,100

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New Caledonia and Vanuatu withdraw from FestPAC amid deadly unrest

A festival planner announced Monday that a Pacific country and an island territory of France have withdrawn their participation in the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.  The announcement comes as Hawaii is

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