FestPAC 2024: Delegates prep ahead of first day

We’re just a day away from the official start of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.

Hawaii is set to host the 13th FestPAC, with more than 2,000 delegates from Pacific nations arriving this week.

The Guam delegation chanted upon their arrival, marking the start of the cultural exchange at the world’s largest gathering of Indigenous Pacific Islanders.

It’s Martha Tenorio’s first FestPAC. The weaver from Talofofo hopes to help Guam shine on the global stage.

“We are so excited. It is going to be so amazing. Even on the plane over here they recognized that there were all of our groups that are coming in from different island countries from FestPAC. The energy even in the plane was so exciting. Biba! We are here and we can not wait to showcase all the talents and skills that Guam has,” said Tenorio, a Weaver.  

Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Director Angie Taitague also shared the excitement.

“We just want to bring it on and show everybody that we did it in 2016 and we are going to do it here in Hawaii,” said Taitague. 

Performing artist Shannon McManus also just arrived ahead of the festival.

“We feel gof banidosu hit just representing Guahan and the Marianas, to be here in our larger Micronesia family, our larger family of Oceania. We are so blessed, we feel honored, and we feel ready to just show the beauty of our people,” said McManus.