How to bid on the Japanese Hula Festival and Marketplace project for the County of Hawaii

What the County is buying

The County of Hawaiʻi seeks a consultant for a six-month planning engagement for two initiatives planned to launch together in fall 2027: the inaugural Hawaiʻi Island Japanese Hula Festival and an Island of Hawaiʻi marketplace.

The festival is intended to connect Hawaiʻi Island hālau with Japanese hula practitioners and enthusiasts. The marketplace will feature island-made products and services, cultural demonstrations, food, and creative experiences. The consultant will develop partnerships and prepare a complete event implementation package.

Deadline and key timing

Responses are due November 27, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET. The engagement is six months, and both initiatives are planned to launch together in fall 2027.

Submit your response through OpenGov before the stated deadline. Check the project page for solicitation updates and addenda before submitting.

Who this opportunity may suit

This professional-services opportunity may suit a consultant with relevant experience in event planning, partnership development, cultural tourism, or marketplace planning. The project aims to support local hālau, Kumu Hula, cultural practitioners, makers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

The work calls for planning the two initiatives concurrently, with attention to cultural authenticity, community benefit, regenerative tourism principles, and County economic development priorities.

How to access and respond

Open the opportunity in OpenGov Procurement using the “View original source” option. If a brief security check appears, let it finish so the project page can load.

Sign in or create a free vendor account to download plans, ask questions, join the planholders list, and submit your response. OpenGov is also where addenda notices are sent.

Prepare a clear, project-specific response

Explain how your approach would plan both initiatives together while addressing their distinct purposes: cultural exchange through hula and a marketplace for Hawaiʻi Island-made products, services, and experiences.

Show how you would develop partnerships and produce a complete event implementation package. Make your proposed work plan, responsibilities, and six-month schedule easy to understand.

Review the solicitation materials and any addenda carefully, and make sure your response answers the requested items. Use the OpenGov question process if you need clarification, and leave time to submit before the deadline.