Fourth Annual Honolulu Ekiden & Music Festival Concert Set

The Fourth Annual Honolulu Ekiden and Music Festival announced today that the Japanese Pop music group SCANDAL will not be performing as planned at the concert at the Waikiki Shell. One of the band members (guitarist, Mami) has fallen ill and is unable to travel but the remaining members of the group will participate in the Ekiden race, running as "TEAM SCANDAL (OFFICIAL)."

The Honolulu Ekiden and Music Festival features international superstar group MAGIC!, whose smash hit "Rude" has topped the charts in eight countries and Japanese musical icon Hiromi Go. The Festival is set to announce special guests to replace SCANDAL in the lineup so look forward to concert day!

The Honolulu Ekiden and Music Festival is the only of its kind in Hawaii, bringing Japan?s Ekiden tradition of a marathon-length relay race to the islands. In ancient Japan, the Ekiden was a method to pass along important news from provinces to the capital with multiple messengers completing different segments of the journey. Today the event symbolizes teamwork and cooperation to achieve a common goal, with races held throughout Japan.

Event Details

The 26.2 mile race will start and end at Kapiolani Park and will feature six segments, with each member completing one or more legs of the race, then handing off a sash to be worn by the next racer. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in fifteen divisions, including youth, high school, university/college, corporate, Heroes, family and kama?aina.

As with Ekiden races in Japan, local volunteers will encourage runners at the stations, adding to the fun and excitement of the event.

Immediately following the Ekiden race from approximately 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. everyone is invited to unwind and recharge as we continue to "Ho?ohui Pa?ani" with an entertainment festival. An exciting variety of Hawaiian and Japanese entertainment will take place at the Kapiolani Bandstand, adjacent to the Ekiden finish line. The awards ceremony will start approximately at 10:30 a.m.

The festivities at the Waikiki Shell kick off 4:45 p.m. with a welcome. The concert begins at 5:45 p.m. with a special appearance by the Blue Note Gospel Choir, followed by the performances of Hiromi Go and MAGIC! For more information visit www.hnlekiden.org or to purchase tickets for the concert only, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Race Format

The 26.2-mile course is divided into six sections. Relay teams can consist of two to six participants. The race will begin with the first member of the team at the start line wearing the team sash. There will be three relay stations to delineate each section of the race, where team members must transfer the sash to the person who will complete the next section. For teams with fewer than six members, each member may complete more than one section. However, multiple sections must be completed consecutively by the same person (i.e., runner #1 can complete sections 1 and 2, but not 1 and 3). Every sash contains an electronic chip that will register at each relay station. Teams must complete sections 1, 2, and 3 within three hours; thereafter, sections 4, 5, and 6 must each be completed within an hour. Thus, the maximum allowed duration to complete the entire course is six hours.

Ekiden Schedule

• 4:30 a.m. - Assemble at starting line
• 5:30 a.m. - Race start

"Ho'ohui Pa'ani" (be "united in play")

• 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• 10:00 a.m. - Awards Ceremony

Concert Schedule

• 4:45 p.m. - Gates Open
• 5:45 p.m. - Concert begins

For more information or to register, please visit www.hnlekiden.org.

Runners must pick up race day information packets and sashes for team entrants at the 2016 Honolulu Ekiden Expo, held on May 21st at the Hawaii Convention Center, 3rd floor from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Late registration will be accepted on May 21, 2016.

About Honolulu Ekiden Foundation

The Honolulu Ekiden Foundation was formed on Jan. 3, 2013 to promote the advancement of peace and social welfare among people in the Pacific Rim, including Hawaii and Japan in particular, through amateur sports and cultural activities. The Ekiden and concert will provide recreation, exercise, entertainment, cultural exchange, and an economic boost to the local community.

About MAGIC!

As one half of the in-demand writing and production duo The Messengers, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Nasri has penned music for everybody from Justin Bieber and Pitbull to Chris Brown and Christina Aguilera. He garnered a Grammy Award in the category of "Best R&B Album" for Chris Brown's F.A.M.E. in 2012. He has now formed a band with Mark Pelli, drummer Alex Tanas and bassist Ben Spivak to create a sound that combines reggae, rock, pop, and a little soul. That sound distills Caribbean flavor, arena-size bombast, and glistening melodies into an undeniably intoxicating musical potion. This is MAGIC!

"I want everybody to join us on this MAGIC! adventure," says Nasri. "It's a stressful time out there, and people are struggling to find hope in balance. This music is meant to put you in a good mood. We want to bring people together to have a good time. It's not about us. It's about the music. We want you to be a part of that energy and a positive musical world."

About Hiromi Go

Hiromi Go made his debut as a singer with the 1972 single "Otokonoko Onnanoko," and was catapulted to top idol status. In addition to his career as a musician, he has appeared in TV dramas and has seen success in music programs and talk shows. After the '80s, he released such big hit tracks as "Aishu no Casablanca" and "Nioku Yonsenman no Hitomi," taking his career in a new direction. During the 90's and on, had huge success with the ballad "Aitakute Shikatanai," along with dance tunes such as "GOLDFINGER '99." In 2002, he took a break from his musical career and lived in New York for three and a half years. In April 2005, with the release of the single "Ai Yori Tsuyoku," he officially restarted his musical career, and since then, has strongly continued on.

About Blue Note Gospel Choir

An international cast of extraordinary vocalists and musicians have united to create the most exciting gospel choir in the Pacific Rim. The weekly brunch features music from the Blue Note Hawaii's Gospel Choir. Savor finger-licking good comfort food from our award-winning chef while the uplifting music of The Blue Note Gospel Choir moves your spirit and your feet.

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