The Nagaoka Fireworks illuminated the night sky and the Waikiki Beach as residents and visitors watched in awe last March 10, 2019. This was the grand finale for the 25th Honolulu Festival was held last March 8 - 10.
This highly-anticipated event is deeply rooted in history. As the Honolulu Festival Foundation narrated its origin and significance below:
"The Pearl Harbor attack, which led to the United States’ entry into the Pacific War, was directed by Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto from Nagaoka. At the surprise attack, many precious lives were lost. Soon Japan military forces had to fight the all-out and prolonged war. Finally, in the evening of August 1, 1945, at the end of the war.Nagaoka City was air-raided by the U.S. Army Air Forces.
Honolulu suffered severe damage in the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Nagaoka, on the other hand, the birthplace of Isoroku Yamamoto who directed the Pearl Harbor attack, was destroyed in the bombing by the American forces.
Since then, the two former enemy cities worked towards reconciliation, seeking to build a friendly and peaceful Japan-U.S. relationship. Eventually in 2012, Nagaoka and Hawaii became sister cities. Nagaoka supports the Honolulu Festival by displaying fireworks on the final evening.
While fireworks shows are generally held at festive occasions in America, the Nagaoka Fireworks at the Honolulu Festival expresses the determination of the cities of Nagaoka and Honolulu to pursue peace."
Unfortunately, the 26th Honolulu Festival and the Annual Nagaoka Fireworks which was scheduled for March 6 to 8, 2020 was canceled due to the onset of COVID-19.
Last December 21, the Honolulu Festival Foundation also announced that the 27th Honolulu Festival which was scheduled for March 12-14, 2021 has been cancelled to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 among locals and visitors.
The Honolulu Festival has been held every year from 1995 until 2019.
To all those who miss being part of this annual festival, we hope you like this video ... until we can all gather 'round Waikiki Beach for the next festival...
27 дек 2020
