13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) Seeking Festival Director
As planning continues for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC), to be hosted in Hawaiʻi for the first time June 6–16, 2024, the official state commission responsible for the festival has opened recruitment for a Festival Director to oversee the planning, coordination, implementation, and execution of the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders.
The festival will feature live performances, cultural workshops, hands-on demonstrations, storytelling and more, including conversations on urgent issues Pacific Islanders face—from rising sea levels to widening social inequality.
FestPAC is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders. The South Pacific Commission (now The Pacific Community – SPC) launched this dynamic showcase of arts and culture in 1972 to halt the erosion of traditional practices through ongoing cultural exchange. Every four years since, it has been hosted by a different Pacific Island nation.
Originally scheduled to take place in 2020, FestPAC was the first major festival in Hawaiʻi to be postponed as the COVID-19 pandemic grew. The early decision was made out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of Hawaiʻi residents, as well as visiting delegations. This 2024 date maintains the four-year cycle of festivals while maximizing the opportunity for delegations to participate as their own Pacific island nations recover from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic.
The kuleana of the Festival Director will include management of directors and other executive and key team members, program execution, budgeting and financing, venue management, marketing and promotion, community/international relations, administration, reporting, and all compliance with state and county government, and international regulations.
The ideal Festival Director candidate will have:
• A deep knowledge and connection with the Hawaiian culture, values, traditions, protocol, history, and language
• A passion for culture and the arts
• Demonstrated experience in foreign/state affairs, government relations (international, federal, state, county)
• Sensitivity and exposure to working with other governments from nations throughout the Pacific
• Experience with large-scale event venue management in multitude of different facility types including multiple levels of security
• Ability to manage all permitting, security, and credential management for programming and venue areas
• Ability to oversee all catering, transportation, and accommodation of all delegates, etc.
• Ability to manage all VIP and dignitary security, protocol, makana, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to fundraise and manage event budgets
• Familiarity with legal contracts and government procurement requirements
• Oversee all marketing, promotion, communication, PR, etc.
• Working knowledge and experience with protocol (both Hawaiian and international)
• Responsible for accurate and timely reporting
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