Feb 25, 2009

Tourism Officials Have High Hopes for Annual Honolulu Festival

Tourism numbers should get a boost next month.

The annual Honolulu Festival will bring in nearly 5,000 Japanese visitors.

Organizers say it could help the local economy at a time when it's needed most.

The Honolulu Festival is a three-day cultural event that culminates in a Grand Parade down Waikiki.

Performers from Japan and other Pacific countries are brought in.

And this year, counting the spectators, that will add up to 4,700 visitors.

Those numbers are down by about 800 visitors compared to last year.

But because the Japanese yen is holding up stronger, organizers are painting a pretty rosy outlook to the spending.

It also helps that many Japanese visitors can't seem to get enough of the festival.

From March 13 to the 15th, the festival spreads out at stages in the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, Waikiki Shopping Plaza, and Waikiki Beach Walk.

With tourism in a major slump, Waikiki hotels are looking forward to the event.

Organizers say there will also be a special guest in this year's parade.

The "Obama Girls" from Japan will be in Hawaii for the parade.

They are hula dancers from the Japanese city of Obama.

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