The Color Festival Hawaii is a modern American version of a traditional Indian Holi Festival, a thousand-year-old ritual of throwing and applying colored powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name, “Festival of Colors.” Clouds of colors dancing in the wind carry the message of love and happiness across to all who participate.

Actual ingredients include: Cornstarch and FD&C and/or D&C colors. Color safety information: Approved for use in foods, cosmetics and/or drugs. These products are not considered hazardous, 29 CFR 1910-1200. The product is biodegradable and washes off easily with water.

Festival goers are cautioned not to go into the middle of the color throwing area if they have allergies or respiratory problems. Children should not be in the middle of the color throwing area and/or should have dust masks. Anyone with breathing issues should stay away from the dust or wear a dust mask. Dust masks will be available for sale for $2 each. Persons who are coming for the first time might also want to stay to one side and observe.

Consuming cornstarch is not dangerous at all and quite the opposite as it may turn out to be a rather pleasant experience! Should it get into your eyes please wash them with water.

The festival is enjoyed by kids of all ages. Kids will love it! The Color Festival Hawaii is a safe event for families. Children as young as 3 years old can enjoy running around and playing with colors. However, babies and toddlers will need some extra care and supervision to avoid colors in the eyes. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to enter.

You will not leave the festival looking the same as you arrived. Festival goers should wear white and leave colorful! Comfortable shoes/sandals and clothes you don’t mind getting full of colorful powder are recommended. The powder is just colored cornstarch and most of it will just blow right off unless you get wet. We recommend you wash your clothes right after the festival.

If you have light colored or highlighted hair, you may want to oil your hair before the festival. Coconut oil or olive oil work best, but a good leave-in conditioner will usually do the trick as well.

No. For safety reasons, colored powders other than those distributed inside the event area are strictly prohibited.

No. Outside food and beverages and alcohol are not allowed. It is a family friendly festival. Food and beverage options will be provided on site. Additionally, smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited. There will be a bag check for security purposes.

What do I need to bring?

Hat and sunscreen

Protecting your eyes with sun glasses or goggles is strongly recommended.

Replacement T-shirt and pants (Remember, there is a good chance the clothes you wear will be colored beyond recognition.)

Plastic bag to put the colored clothes in

Be prepared to be colored by others; even your hair will be full of colors

The colors are all easy to wash off. However, your clothes will be totally colored and need to be disposed of or washed at home with special care. Please bring a plastic bag with you to put your clothes into, and bring other clothing you can put on before you go back into your car.

No. Any personal belongings brought into the Color Festival Hawaii are the responsibility of the owner. We suggest you either leave your valuables in your car or at home.

STEP 1: Spray your shirt in vinegar to soak.

STEP 2: Air dry flat

STEP 3: Iron the shirt, which helps the colors be absorbed further

STEP 4: Cold wash the shirt

STEP 5: Place in Dryer