Frequently asked questions
May I take photographs or videos at the powwow?
Yes, you may take photographs at the powwow if you have permission from the people you wish to photograph. If you wish to take photographs of crafts, be sure to get permission first.
May I burn my own sage?
Not on powwow grounds. By the time the Powwow begins, the grounds and the dance circle already have been blessed by both a Native Hawaiian and a Native American cultural practitioner. Additional burning of sage is unnecessary.
May I bring my dog?
Pets are not allowed on the powwow grounds. The exception is registered working service animals in harness.
Are there activities for children?
Yes, the powwow offers arts & craft activities for children. They may also participate with their parents or other supervising adult in the social dances as long as they observe proper etiquette. Keep your children safe and do not let them play in the dance arena. Please teach them to "look with their eyes, and not with their hands" regarding regalia, and craft items in vendor booths.
Can anyone dance?
Anyone who is dressed respectfully may dance in the social dances. No bare midriffs, low cut tops or short shorts for women and no bare chests for men. Inappropriately attired persons will be asked to leave the dance arena by the Arena Director. Children are especially encouraged to dance with parents/adults supervising.
How do I know what's going on?
Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will explain what is taking place, the importance of the arena circle, when spectators can participate, when to stand and when not to take photographs. Stand for the Grand Entry, Flag Song, and Veteran's Song and any time the Master of Ceremonies requests. Men should remove their hats unless they have an Eagle feather on them.
Where can I buy one of the costumes?
A costume is something you wear so you can pretend to be someone else. Dancers' and cultural practitioners' wear regalia, not costumes, and is symbolic of who they really are. In many cases various elements of the regalia are made by the dancer/practitioner or someone who cares deeply for him or her. The right to wear the various elements must be earned. Please do not touch dancers, practitioners, or their regalia. Much of it has spiritual connotations and handling it requires specific protocol. Also, a dancer’s regalia are fragile, costly and easily damaged. People are often fascinated with the feathers and beadwork of a dancer's regalia and are tempted to touch everything, but please admire their regalia with respect to the individual and their tribal heritage . The dancers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Why do the crafts cost so much?
Once people understand that they are hand-crafted traditional works of art, rather than mass-produced in sweat shops, the question becomes, "How can you afford to charge so LITTLE?" The crafts at the Honolulu Inter-Tribal Powwow are made by Native American, First Nations, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian artisans who have spent many years mastering their craft. The craft fair administrators work diligently to assure that the artisans and crafters maintain high standards of provenance, integrity, and quality. Many of the craftspeople continue to live a traditional lifestyle, and are not set up to take bank
cards. Please plan to have cash for your purchases. Don’t demean craftspeople or yourself by bartering with them. Long hours are put into their arts and crafts. Please be careful handling merchandise and remember the old adage, "If you break it, you bought it!"
Yes, you may take photographs at the powwow if you have permission from the people you wish to photograph. If you wish to take photographs of crafts, be sure to get permission first.
May I burn my own sage?
Not on powwow grounds. By the time the Powwow begins, the grounds and the dance circle already have been blessed by both a Native Hawaiian and a Native American cultural practitioner. Additional burning of sage is unnecessary.
May I bring my dog?
Pets are not allowed on the powwow grounds. The exception is registered working service animals in harness.
Are there activities for children?
Yes, the powwow offers arts & craft activities for children. They may also participate with their parents or other supervising adult in the social dances as long as they observe proper etiquette. Keep your children safe and do not let them play in the dance arena. Please teach them to "look with their eyes, and not with their hands" regarding regalia, and craft items in vendor booths.
Can anyone dance?
Anyone who is dressed respectfully may dance in the social dances. No bare midriffs, low cut tops or short shorts for women and no bare chests for men. Inappropriately attired persons will be asked to leave the dance arena by the Arena Director. Children are especially encouraged to dance with parents/adults supervising.
How do I know what's going on?
Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will explain what is taking place, the importance of the arena circle, when spectators can participate, when to stand and when not to take photographs. Stand for the Grand Entry, Flag Song, and Veteran's Song and any time the Master of Ceremonies requests. Men should remove their hats unless they have an Eagle feather on them.
Where can I buy one of the costumes?
A costume is something you wear so you can pretend to be someone else. Dancers' and cultural practitioners' wear regalia, not costumes, and is symbolic of who they really are. In many cases various elements of the regalia are made by the dancer/practitioner or someone who cares deeply for him or her. The right to wear the various elements must be earned. Please do not touch dancers, practitioners, or their regalia. Much of it has spiritual connotations and handling it requires specific protocol. Also, a dancer’s regalia are fragile, costly and easily damaged. People are often fascinated with the feathers and beadwork of a dancer's regalia and are tempted to touch everything, but please admire their regalia with respect to the individual and their tribal heritage . The dancers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Why do the crafts cost so much?
Once people understand that they are hand-crafted traditional works of art, rather than mass-produced in sweat shops, the question becomes, "How can you afford to charge so LITTLE?" The crafts at the Honolulu Inter-Tribal Powwow are made by Native American, First Nations, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian artisans who have spent many years mastering their craft. The craft fair administrators work diligently to assure that the artisans and crafters maintain high standards of provenance, integrity, and quality. Many of the craftspeople continue to live a traditional lifestyle, and are not set up to take bank
cards. Please plan to have cash for your purchases. Don’t demean craftspeople or yourself by bartering with them. Long hours are put into their arts and crafts. Please be careful handling merchandise and remember the old adage, "If you break it, you bought it!"