Kimchi Day Festival Hawaiʻi Returns to Makiki Nov. 14 With Won Bok Tossing, Eating Contests and K-Pop

Mark your calendar for one of the tastiest free events of the month. The 4th annual Kimchi Day Festival Hawaiʻi is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Makiki District Park, Aloha State Daily reported on Nov. 3. The festival’s official website lists the same date and hours.

Admission is free and the event is open to everyone.

The quick facts

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Where: Makiki District Park, 1527 Keʻeaumoku St., Honolulu
• Cost: Free
• Host: The United Korean Association of Hawaiʻi
• Info: kimchifestivalhi.com

What’s on the schedule

This isn’t just a stroll-and-snack festival. According to Aloha State Daily, this year’s lineup includes:

• A won bok toss tournament (yes, tossing heads of napa cabbage)
• A best homemade kimchi contest, so bring your family recipe
• A kimchi-making demonstration
• A kimchi jeon eating contest (kimchi pancakes)
• A K-pop dance competition
• Live performances, including Korean drumming and other cultural presentations

If you want to compete or set up a booth, the festival website has an official sign-up form for volunteers, vendors, sponsors and festival participants.

Why kimchi gets its own day here

The festival is hosted by The United Korean Association of Hawaiʻi, and its president, David Suh, told Aloha State Daily the goal is to bring the community together around Korean food, traditions and culture. He pitched it as a good excuse to round up friends and try a lot of dishes.

Kimchi, the fermented dish usually built on salted napa cabbage with garlic, ginger and chili pepper, has long been a staple on local tables, from Korean restaurants to plate lunch counters. Hawaiʻi law now officially recognizes Nov. 22 as Kimchi Day, after Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 1950, according to both the newspaper and the festival. The festival lands about a week before that date.

Tips for going

• Parking: Makiki District Park’s lot fills up quickly for big events. The festival’s parking page lists overflow options along Keʻeaumoku Street, including Hawaii Christ Church (1639 Keʻeaumoku St.) and Catholic Charities (1822 Keʻeaumoku St.). Part of the tennis court lot is pass-only, so read the notes before you go.
• Go early for contests: Eating and dance contests tend to draw crowds, so check the festival site or its social pages closer to the day for start times.
• Come hungry: The whole day centers on Korean food, so plan to graze.

Missed the date? Kimchi Day itself is Sunday, Nov. 22, a good excuse to visit your favorite Korean spot that week.

Sources

• Aloha State Daily, “4th annual Kimchi Day Festival Hawaiʻi is coming Nov. 14” by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Nov. 3, 2026): https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/11/03/4th-annual-kimchi-day-festival-hawaii-is-coming-nov-14/
• Kimchi Festival Hawaii official website and parking page: https://www.kimchifestivalhi.com/