At Festa Italiana Hawaiʻi, we believe that culture is not only something to be celebrated—it is something to be lived, shared, and passed forward.

As part of our continued growth as a nonprofit organization, we are in the process of developing a Scholarship Program to support Hawaiʻi-based students pursuing studies in Italy or Italian-inspired fields such as culinary arts, architecture, design, music, and the humanities.

This future initiative is inspired by a powerful chapter in Hawaiʻi’s history. In the late 1800s, King David Kalākaua sent young Hawaiians abroad—including to Italy—to study art, music, and science, with the belief that global education would strengthen Hawaiʻi’s future. We aim to carry forward that same spirit by creating opportunities for students to engage deeply with Italian culture and bring that knowledge home.

Through this program, we envision supporting students in gaining immersive, hands-on experience in disciplines where Italy has long been a global leader. Just as importantly, we see these students returning to Hawaiʻi as cultural ambassadors—sharing their experiences, inspiring others, and contributing to the richness of our local community.

As we build this program, our goal is to establish meaningful partnerships, secure funding, and create a sustainable pathway for students to access these opportunities in the years ahead.

This is just the beginning—and we look forward to bringing this vision to life in a way that reflects the true essence of Cialoha: where Ciao meets Aloha.

A Celebration with Purpose
Festa Italiana Hawai‘i is a nonprofit cultural platform dedicated to celebrating and strengthening the connection between Italy and Hawai‘i—where Ciao meets Aloha.

Supporting Local Talent
Each year, Festa brings together over 12,000 attendees and supports 45+ Hawai‘i-based businesses, restaurants, and community partners, providing a platform for chefs, artists, and performers to showcase their craft.

Cultural Connection
Through food, music, film, and art, Festa highlights the meaningful connections between Italian and Hawai‘i cultures—fostering appreciation, exchange, and a deeper sense of community.

Community Partnerships
We are proud to partner with organizations like the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, with a portion of proceeds supporting arts, education, and cultural programming across the islands.

Growing Impact
As Festa continues to grow, so does our impact—driving meaningful exposure and economic opportunity for local businesses while expanding future cultural and educational initiatives in Hawai‘i.

Align your brand with Hawai‘i’s only Italian festival and a growing cultural platform that reaches over 12,000 attendees each year.

Partners benefit from:

• Meaningful brand alignment with a nonprofit cultural initiative

• Direct engagement with both kamaʻāina and visitor audiences

• High-visibility presence across event, digital, and social platforms

• Association with a premium, culturally rich experience

We offer a range of partnership opportunities designed to meet your goals:

• Sponsorships – From presenting to supporting levels with integrated marketing exposure

• Event Activation – On-site experiences that engage directly with attendees

• Community Partnerships – Collaborations that support arts, education, and cultural programming