MAYOR INVITES ALL TO KOREAN ‘SUNSET’ AND FESTIVAL

(Thursday, July 9, 2009) -- Mayor Mufi Hannemann is inviting everyone to attend a special Korean-themed Sunset on the Beach event tomorrow (Friday) night in Waikiki and the 8th Annual Korean Festival on Saturday in Kapiolani Park.

            “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Honolulu’s links to Korea and Korean culture,” Hannemann said. “There will be lots of fun for the whole family. I’m very glad that the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce took us up on our suggestion that they incorporate our popular Sunset on the Beach event into the annual festivities.”

            Sunset on the Beach will begin tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Queen’s Surf Beach in Waikiki with live entertainment, followed at 7:30 p.m. by a special screening of the Korean film “Lump of Sugar,” a heartwarming story about a girl and her horse achieving a miracle together.

            The Korean Festival begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at Kapiolani Park, featuring Korean food, entertainment, dance, songs, a kim chi eating contest and much more. Korean celebrity entertainers scheduled to perform in the evening include singers Hwan-Hee and Park Sun-Joo, and actor Gwon Min. Admission is free.

            Honolulu owes much to its people of Korean ancestry, whose forefathers arrived in Hawaii more than 100 years ago, Hannemann said.

            “These pioneers worked long and hard as productive citizens who nurtured strong families for generations and contributed much to the growth of our islands,” he said.

            The festival is being presented by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and private co-sponsors.

            For more information, please go to www.koreanfestivalhawaii.com

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Media contact: Ann Chung, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development 768-5761