Pacific island cultures from places such as Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa and Guam will be celebrated in San Diego at one of the largest Pacific Islander music festivals in the country Saturday. Thousands of people, Pacific Islander or not, from San Diego and beyond, will travel to enjoy reggae-style music, local food and cultural dancing.

This year marks the third time the Holo Holo Fest will be in San Diego. Several island favorites are performing starting at noon at Waterfront Park, including The Green, who are releasing an album Friday, Hirie, High Watah, Ekolu, Natural Vibrations, Wavvy and Pau Hana, hosted by Western Conference.

“It is celebrating not only the music, but the culture, the food and having the halaus (hula groups) come out … that’s why it’s so special,” said Dana Greer, chief brand and operations officer.

Good Vibez, a company overseeing several traveling reggae festivals, including California Roots Music and Arts in Monterey, added Holo Holo to its list in 2022. It is inspired by owner Dan Sheehan, who was raised in Hawaii, and wanted to create “a love letter” to the islands, according to Greer.

“Holo holo” means “to move,” which it’s done the past four years — between Las Vegas, Sacramento, Washington, Hawaii, Irvine, San Jose and Oceanside. And it continues with first-time appearances in Long Beach and Avila Beach this year.

Different from Good Vibez’s other festivals, Holo Holo brings in only island artists, as well as island food and halau, Greer said. The goal is to celebrate island culture on the mainland.

The event has grown since its establishment, she said, describing it as a “small seedling into a big plant,” driven by a love of uniting people.

“It’s really exciting to be able to see so many people embrace it and it become a gathering place,” Greer said. “People use it as a family reunion … it’s very family oriented.”

The festival usually brings in five to six thousand people, Greer said. A notable signal of its growth, she said, is seeing returning faces who are willing to drive to different parts of the state for another show.

“They’re wanting to come out; it’s not just a yearly event to them,” she said. “They’ll drive to Sacramento just as much as they’ll drive to San Diego.”

In the planning process, Greer said Sheehan, who books the artists, considers who fans will resonate with the most. With The Green releasing a new album just a day before the event, they thought fans would “go crazy.”

Tickets can be purchased on holoholofestival.com: general admission for $94.63, VIP for $207 and a four-pack deal for $292. The event will also be live-streamed on their website.