“Hafa adai” is a warm, friendly hello in the Chamorro language. It was also the name of a festival held today in San Diego!
The Hafa Adai Festival took place on the lawn of Balboa Park’s International Cottages. It was a joyful celebration filled with dance, food, crafts and culture, organized by the House of Chamorros.
The Chamorro people are indigenous to the Mariana Islands. Many with Chamorro ancestry live in Guam and the Northern Marianas. And more than a few live here in San Diego, too!
The House of Chamorros program today included an Opening Ceremony (complete with National Anthems and a beautifully sung traditional blessing), the Imahen Taotao Tano Dancers, and much more. I departed after the latter performance–too much else to do in the park!
I did take these photographs which I hope you’ll enjoy. One couldn’t stop smiling at this joyful event!
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During this weekend, San Diego’s big annual Pacific Islander Festival was held at Ski Beach in Mission Bay.
Thousands turned out to celebrate the traditional cultures of the indigenous peoples of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. It’s the largest, most attended Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander festival in the United States!
As you can see from my photos, a huge audience sitting on the grass enjoyed San Diego’s warm sunshine and lots of traditional island dances, costumes and music. There was a fantastic selection of food, vendors everywhere, and, most interesting to me, an assortment of booths boosting tourism with fascinating cultural displays.
All those islands–all their culture–all that vibrant life– There was so much to absorb during my visit!
Did you miss this amazing, free, family-friendly event? I hope these photographs inspire you to go next year…
Does the above watercraft appear familiar? It’s a model of the ocean-going outrigger canoe Sakman.
Perhaps you recall seeing Sakman years ago during its stay in San Diego. See a couple of photos here.
I learned a documentary film is being produced titled Sakman: The Legend of The Flying Canoe. It follows the creation of the Sakman Che’lu, a 50ft. vessel built by a group of retirees in San Diego, CA. Despite being first-time builders and sailors, they courageously recreate this magnificent canoe, 6,000 miles away from their island home. Check out the film’s website here!
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
During my walk through Balboa Park, I spotted this House of Chamorros banner in front of the Hall of Nations, so I had to investigate!
I was inspired today during my walk through Balboa Park. The House of Chamorros was showcasing the culture of the Mariana Islands, including Guam, at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. Interesting artifacts were on display in the Hall of Nations, and food and entertainment filled the room for the public to enjoy.
Why were these friendly people in the Hall of Nations? Because the House of Chamorros doesn’t have a cottage–not yet!
I learned that efforts are underway to build a House of Chamorros cottage in Balboa Park. A building of their own would greatly enhance their mission to educate and share the Chamorro culture with the residents of San Diego County–and the millions of tourists who visit Balboa Park.
That sounds like a worthy endeavor to me! One that requires vision, dedication and . . . money. To learn more, and perhaps join their cause or make a donation, please visit the House of Chamorros website.
Musicians filled the room with beautiful Mariana Islands melodies while food beckoned from the nearby table.
Just a few of the artifacts and crafts on display today.
I also learned the House of Chamorros is having a cool lawn program next weekend at the International Cottages. The event is called the First Annual Hafa Adai Cultural Arts Festival. It will include music, dance, crafts and food that represent the culture of the Mariana Islands. (In case you’re curious, I’ve learned “hafa adai” means “hello” in the Chamorro language!)
The festival will take place March 5 from 11am to 5pm. It sounds to me like it will be a lot of fun!
The House of Chamorros presents the Hafa Adai Cultural Arts Festival in Balboa Park!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Friendly guy at Pacific Islander Festival representing Tokelau shows how skirts are fashioned using natural fibers.
Today I went to San Diego’s annual Pacific Islander Festival. Wow!
The awesome event was held at Ski Beach Park on Vacation Isle, at the center of Mission Bay–and it was much, much bigger than I had expected. Thousands sitting in lawn chairs or walking among dozens of colorful tents enjoyed music, dance, food, fascinating crafts and a huge variety of cool sights.
Here’s some of what I saw. I’ll let the photo captions tell the story…
Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego greeted me with a warm smile!
The popular annual festival attracts thousands, who enjoy lots of music and dance on a big main stage.
The theme for 2015 was Heroes of the Pacific, honoring military veterans from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
Youthful dancers on stage were a favorite of the crowd.
Many tents contained interesting artistic and cultural exhibits from different Pacific islands. Here we see Guam.
Native arts and crafts fascinated visitors to the festival.
Lots of super nice people were enjoying the day at Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay, and many wore colorful costumes!
Glass floats are incredibly beautiful, like solid bubbles of light.
Tivaevae Polynesian quilting from the Cook Islands, finely made fans, and other handcrafted works on display.
Those are two very cool ukuleles!
Chamorro outrigger canoe (proa) Sakman could be boarded by curious festival visitors at Ski Beach.
An exotic boat in genuine blue Pacific Ocean water on a glorious San Diego day.
This lively juggler simply had to be photographed.
Drummers create rhythmic beats for event performers rehearsing behind the stage under some shady trees.
The Heiva San Diego tent contained colorful Tahitian sights.
Typical foods one might find on a South Pacific Ocean island.
A sea turtle is swimming above the grass!
Artist representing Samoa creates Siapo, also known as tapa, using ink made from native seeds and tree bark.
A funny octopus and dancing knife on display at the Samoa tent.
Books include Myths and Legends of Samoa.
A beautiful wooden bowl was among many cultural artifacts from American Samoa.
Palau’s tent had many interesting photos and unique objects for everyone to enjoy.
Lots of life and energy at the Pacific Islander Festival!
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