lmmerse Yourself in Korean Culture at Honolulu’s Kimchi Day Festival

Honolulu Celebrated Korea’s Favorite Fermented Food with Inaugural Kimchi Day Festival Event

On November 4, 2023, Honolulu celebrated its first Kimchi Day Festival at Makiki District Park. The event was a vibrant celebration of Korean culture and cuisine, featuring kimchi dishes, tastings, demonstrations, and a concert with I-Sinfonietta, an orchestra group from Korea.

The festival was organized by the United Korean Association of Hawaii and the KA Women’s Club of Hawaii to commemorate the establishment of Kimchi Day by the State of Hawaii, on November 22nd officially, and the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to Hawaii. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage and vegetables. It is a staple of Korean cuisine and is also popular in many other parts of the world.

The festival attracted a large and diverse crowd of people from all walks of life. Visitors were able to sample & purchase kimchi dishes from a variety of vendors, including traditional kimchi, kimchi pancakes, kimchi dumplings, and even kimchi ice cream. There were also kimchi-making demonstrations, cultural performances, pottery exhibition, and a children’s activity area.

Special highlights from the day included a talent show and hanbok fashion show/contest where cash prize winners were selected based on judges and audience feedback.

One of the highlights of the festival was the kimchi-making demonstration led by local culinary specialist Daniel Kim. The demonstration showed participants how to make kimchi from scratch, including how to choose the right ingredients, prepare the vegetables, and ferment the kimchi.

Another highlight of the festival was the concert by I-Sinfonietta, a Korean orchestra group that specializes in playing classical music and Korean traditional music. The orchestra performed a variety of pieces, including Korean folk songs and classical pieces by Western composers.

The importance of kimchi in Hawaii culture

Kimchi is an important element in Honolulu’s culinary culture for a number of reasons. Besides the fact that it’s a staple food regardless of ethnicity, kimchi is a symbol of the Korean immigrant community in Hawaii. Korean immigrants began arriving in Hawaii in the late 19th century bringing their kimchi recipes with them. Kimchi helped Korean immigrants to maintain a connection to their culture and heritage in their new home.

Kimchi is a reminder of the diversity throughout the islands. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world, and kimchi is just one example of the many different foods that are enjoyed here.

The Honolulu Kimchi Day Festival is a great way to celebrate the important role food plays in keeping cultures alive and with the establishment of Kimchi Day we will be looking forward to seeing this become an annual event where we can learn & experience Korean culture and cuisine.

by Honolulu Vibes