ISLAND OF HAWAII JAPANESE HULA FESTIVAL AND MARKETPLACE PLANNING PROJECT

The County of Hawai‘i is soliciting a qualified consultant for the Island of Hawai‘i Japanese Hula Festival and Marketplace Planning Project under solicitation number 27-0071. This six-month engagement aims to establish the foundational partnerships, cultural protocols, and operational frameworks necessary to launch two complementary cultural tourism initiatives in Fall 2027. The project focuses on a culturally-grounded approach to economic development, centering authentic Hawaiian practices and locally-made products to support local hālau and creative entrepreneurs while positioning the island as a leader in sustainable, place-based tourism. The selected vendor will be responsible for delivering 16 major outputs, including a final planning report with execution recommendations, an execution transition package, and an updated budget. Awarding will be based on best value, with an evaluation scoring system that prioritizes proposer experience in event planning, Hawaiian cultural competency, and established partnerships in Japan and Hawai‘i, alongside cost. The contract is governed by Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 103D and requires compliance with non-discrimination and non-debarment certifications. Payments are processed within 30 days of service completion, and for contracts exceeding $25,000, final payment is contingent upon a state tax clearance. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the OpenGov Procurement System by November 28, 2026.