Asian Fest to Be Held at Queens’ MarketPlace

A celebration of the far east and a rousing welcome to the Year of the Pig, Queens’ MarketPlace invites the community to join in the excitement of Asian Fest on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Asia Fest will take place at the Queens’ MarketPlace on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Courtesy photo.

The free event is a unique and popular way to experience and enjoy the music, cuisine and customs of China, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines and other Asian cultures.

Highlights of the event include food tastings, non-stop entertainment and a spectacular Lion Dance. A centuries-old tradition, essential to New Year’s festivities in Hawai‘i, the colorful Chinese Lion Dancers perform acrobatic feats and leaps, interacting with the audience and parading through Queens’ MarketPlace from door to door.

Lion Dancers at Queens’ MarketPlace. Courtesy photo.

Participants young and old can “feed” the Lion lai see (red envelopes with small donations in them) to bring good fortune in the year ahead (envelopes will be provided) Taiko also plays an essential part of Asian Fest, and the thundering drums of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko of North Kohala kick off the excitement at the Coronation Pavilion. Their high-energy style of taiko brings movement and music together for a dramatic performance that captivates audiences of all ages.

Throughout Queens’ MarketPlace, chefs will provide food samples (while they last) from A-Bay’s Island Grill, Bistro at the Cinemas, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, Island Gourmet Markets, Mai Grille, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill, Sansei Seafood, Steak and Sushi Bar, Sushi Shiono, Tropics Ale House, Waikoloa Beach Marriott and more.

Asian Fest is a complimentary event presented by Queens’ MarketPlace and its businesses as a celebratory start to the new lunar year.

Asian Fest Entertainment Schedule:

• 5:10 Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
• 5:40 Kealakehe High School Japanese Dance Group
• 5:55 Meet & Greet the Chinese Lion Dancers
• 6:25 Visayan Dance Group, Filipino Dancers
• 7:20 Lion Dance begins at Island Gourmet Markets and proceeds door to door

Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort has earned a reputation among visitors and kama‘āina as “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast,” full of shopping opportunities, services and great food, along with entertainment and arts programs, movies under the stars and large-scale concerts in Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens. For more information, call (808) 886-8822 or go online.