The Pacific Islander Festival was created in 1994 to promote the traditional culture, history, languages and values of the indigenous peoples of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. The Festival Association hosts a series of educational and charitable projects throughout the year, providing educational and cultural resources to everyone, but the Festival is its flagship project.
The Pacific Islander Festival is usually held at Ski Beach in Mission Bay, which is part of the recreational Mission Bay Park. Its offers continuous entertainment throughout the weekend, including processions, musical and dance performances, pageants, canoe regattas, arts and crafts, traditional food, workshops, and more.
The Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego pageant is one of the main highlights of the festival. Miss PIFA is more than just a beauty pageant, its main goal is to encourage Pacific Island women to become positive role models by serving as ambassadors for PIFA. The pageant aims to raise awareness of issues faced by Pacific Island and American women. The winner of the pageant and her court (the 1st Princess and the 2nd Princess) receive a scholarship to their education and a platform to advocate a cause they feel strongly about.
Alongside the Pacific Islander Festival, the Association also hosts Taste of the Pacific Islands. Held in cooperation with local restaurants and catering businesses, it is a food festival designed to share the flavors of the islands and promote the cuisines of Oceania.
In 2021, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
