Pacific Islander Festival

This is one of the largest Pacific Islander festivals that I've ever been to. It is an annual event on a weekend in late September that goes from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. It definitely accomplishes its mission of promoting and perpetuating the traditional cultures of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

There are so many merchandise and food vendors that it is literally an outdoor shopping mall and food court. A full spectrum of Pacific Islander cuisine is provided, from traditional to contemporary. Music and dance performances take place on a single stage throughout the event. Most of the entertainment is provided by local and regional Polynesian groups, sharing the cultural performing arts of Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Sāmoa, and Tonga. Chamoru groups also performed. Additionally, there is a royal court and Miss PIFA for each year's event.

Admission is free. It is a family-friendly event, so there is no alcohol. Mission Bay is a perfect setting, as it is the closest Northern California comes to the tropical climate of the Pacific Islands. Because parking is limited at Ski Beach, round-trip shuttle service, for $2 per person, is provided from Sun Runner Lot and Hospitality Point in Mission bay.

Stumbled across the info on Facebook about this event. Showed up with my son to check it out. Not sure which parking lot to park, first time attending. Decided to drive around and found a spot after 10 minutes.

While leaving the event, I saw the bus taking people to the parking lot. Not sure how it worked. Probably for participants or Associates of Pacific Islanders, not spectators.

Entertainment:
Something for everyone to enjoy. Lots of beautiful traditional performances.

Food:
So many food vendors to buy food from. We didn't buy any, the lines were super long.

We simply walked around for half an hour and left because it was so hot. Before departing, I took snap shots of some performances from afar.

Note:
Parking lot at Crown Point is the best place to park or if you have the patience to drive around looking for street parking, that's another option.

This year's festival was far from great. They had lots of booths but lets be honest, we go for the food. This year, I usually love the Pancakes..but this time.. they were raw. We paid good money for RAW BATTER. VERY poorly done. Why wouldn't you ASK for better restaurants to show up at your booth? Hey PIFA, heads up, Try talking to LE UMU in las vegas. Their food is by far better than anyone who was at this festival. Good luck next year. I hope its better than this one.

This review is long overdue...

My family was so excited to attend the Pacific Islander Fest! After two long years, it was finally held in-person again.

This year had more vendors and a lot more attendees than previous years. There were booths selling clothing, jewelry, decor and other islander accessories. We spent a majority of our time shopping for clothes and jewelry. 

The food lines were ridiculous! I guess that's a good thing to help the small businesses recover from the pandemic. 

Overall, it was a good day... my only request is that PIFA allow attendees to bring canopies or umbrellas. The only respite from the sun is by going into the vendors' tents but they're usually pretty hot and stuffy.

We watched my Goddaughter perform a few routines and left PIFA. The crowd was getting bigger and my shoulders were taking a beating from the sun.

PIFA first timer.~

I came by here excited to see what it's all about! I found decent parking just a little north which was a short walk and helped to probably dodge potential PIFA traffic/crowded parking. The minute I entered it was warm out, so definitely bring your sunblock and stay hydrated as shade is little to none. They do have an ATM machine which is convenient for those who don't come prepared with cash on hand.

For food tons of enticing Hawaiian options for meats and rice along with desserts like shaved ice and malasadas. The popular spots had long lines so I picked to go to the shortest line. I got lucky with that one because their food was scrumptious so it worked out perfectly, love me some Kalbi! As for vendors there are tons of options for little knick knacks: random stuff, customize your own hydroflasks, clothing, jewelry, snacks, and candy etc.

The entertainment of course is awesome from the cultural performances with the native dances and music. It is a great experience and some outdoor San Diego fun! I would recommend definitely packing like you're going for a picnic otherwise you'll be sitting and eating on the grass like I did.

This was an amazing show. The island pride was infectious! I was impressed by the talent and creativity showcasing the culture of the pacific island people.

First time to PIFA!

To start, let's talk about the parking...if you are not there early to get a good parking spot without having to pay for a fee, know that you're in for a treat! Otherwise, if you get there late and want to be close by...you could be paying a fee of $35! Least, that's what my family and I had paid to be close to the entrance. With that, the saying "the early bird gets the worm" is definitely a win, so we lost in this aspect.

Next, let's talk about the food and snack booths;
We arrived around 12:15 and found the rest of our family by the stage and mingled in. After settling in my husband and I decided to go walk around and see what kind of food we'd like to buy and bring over to share with our family...oh gosh, the lines were waaaaaay backed up! The food and the snack booth lines, WOOOOW! So we decided to skip that and check out what else is around.

Last, let's talk about the other clothing and the decor!
Is it just me, or are a lot of their clothings super expensive! I mean, $40 for a small long sleeve crop top that says Chamorro across the chest? Idk about that. I didn't find that it was worth it. Maybe if it was a sweater I could live with a price like that but not a crop top. Then, we went to a decor shop by the entrance...there was lots of nice decor...the prices were astounding! My pockets aren't deep. I will not buy a $30 wall decor that is 3 x 18 and says "HAFA ADAI".

Aside from the three parts I've talked about, the entertainment and seeing all the islanders from the pacific was heart warming. The sky was clear and the breeze was cool. Super enjoyable and relaxing at the same time.

Several pointers I have...is to come early. Be prepared to spend on beautiful art and/or apparel. Lastly, don't forget your sunscreen if you're walking around.

HAFA ADAI/ALOHA/AFIO MAI/TALITALI FIETIA/KUMUSTA

PIFA!!! It was held at Ski Beach in Mission Bay. Imagine a ton of islander people on an island with beautiful beach and sun... just like the real islands but not really.

Love culture festivals... especially islander ones. It is a sense of belonging, a sense of community for me, to be surrounded by the culture and people I grew up with. The biggest islander group representing were the Chamorros, then Samoans, then Hawaiians, then Filipinos but us Filipinos were a small percent. It's a chill event... shop at vendor tents, eat, picnic, and watch performances. Majority of the food vendors were Chamorro and Hawaiian food (lomi lomi, spamusubi, kalua pork, poke, keliguan, bbq meats, etc). Alot of the merchandise on sale had islander influence. My favorites were the 1) the booth selling packaged goodies with li hin mui powder. 2) the bamboo hats with tribal hand painting and 3) the booth selling hydro 808 flasks with engravement. Networked and met good people!

Will be back for PIFA 2018!

Until the next review....

After living in Hawaii for a few months, spending the first few years of my life in Guam, and attending PIFA 7 years in a row, I finally understand why this festival is a gigantic beach party every year. Currently living on island, I can honestly say that PIFA is the closest thing to living on island, and not a poor imitation. Two of my closest friends who spent their childhood in Oahu first told me about this festival, and they are excited to attend every year. The Hawaiian plate lunches, chicken kelaguen with red rice, shave ice, malasadas, Hawaiian Gourmet snacks--they're all at the festival. Almost half of the festival layout consists of food booths, the other part are the retail vendors. For Oahu residents reading this, think Aloha Stadium in two rows of booths, but with slightly pricier merchandise.

You can either pay for parking, then take a shuttle bus to the festival site, or parking along the neighboring residential area for free, and walk towards the site.

I hope to see other ethnic festivals of this caliber when I return to San Diego! San Diego is such a diverse town that I do not think it's impossible.

5 stars even though the parking sucks, the days leave us toasted, and the lines to the food booths are ridiculously insane....WHY?

First of all, because entrance is FREE!!!! HA! And because we all know there are way too many of us islanders proud of the Pacific Islands that there is no darn park big enough to accommodate all of us. AND we would bask in Sunny San Diego's weather to watch every beautiful island and their performers take on the stage because they are worth the loads of sticky sunscreen and the butt cramps lounging on the lawn. AND the food is too good to pass up because we all skipped breakfast and lunch to wait 3 hours to indulge in some real food...

AM I WRONG? I pray to God I'm not because I'll be the only Chaudy Guam Islander who does it!!

Imahen Taotao Tano, Kutturan Chamoru, Pau Hana, Stateside Islander Crew, Nonosina, all the Samoan and all Hawaiian Halau's, FOKAI INTERNATIONAL, Show Your Roll, Sweet Stack, Guahan Grill, Hawaiian Shave Ice, and all the other great vendors who bring us business in the mainland, THANK YOU SO MUCH for such an awesome weekend every year and taking us HOME AWAY FROM HOME!