JTB Hawaii Travel, LLC (Honolulu, HI, President: Tomoyuki Kajiwara, hereinafter referred to as “JTB Hawaii”), the organizer of the Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN, is pleased to announce that FRUITS ZIPPER will be the official supporter of the 2025 event, which will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Launched in March 2013 as Hawaii’s first amateur EKIDEN, the Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN is inspired by a traditional Japanese cultural event and enjoyed by many. After a break due to the pandemic, the 8th Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN was held in March 2024, marking its return after five years. The event brought together 700 runners from 82 teams, with about 1,500 attendees, including family and friends cheering on the participants. Starting at Kapiolani Park, the 5 km course runs up Diamond Head Road, turning back at the lookout with breathtaking ocean views, allowing participants to fully appreciate Hawaii’s natural beauty.
Launched in March 2013 as Hawaii’s first amateur EKIDEN, the Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN is inspired by a traditional Japanese cultural event and enjoyed by many. After a break due to the pandemic, the 8th Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN was held in March 2024, marking its return after five years. The event brought together 700 runners from 82 teams, with about 1,500 attendees, including family and friends cheering on the participants. Starting at Kapiolani Park, the 5 km course runs up Diamond Head Road, turning back at the lookout with breathtaking ocean views, allowing participants to fully appreciate Hawaii’s natural beauty.
FRUITS ZIPPER, the newly appointed official supporter for the Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN 2025, is a new idol group created from participants in ASOBISYSTEM’s idol project KAWAII LAB. The group’s name combines FRUITS, meaning ‘to bear fruit,’ and ZIP, meaning ‘to give energy.’ The group’s concept is ‘from Harajuku to the world,’ and the group will transmit what they call ‘NEW KAWAII’ from Harajuku, an area known for fashion and individuality, to the world. Since their formation in 2022, FRUITS ZIPPER has won accolades such as the Best New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards and continues to spread a new wave of ‘KAWAII’ culture from Harajuku to the world. On the day of the event, FRUITS ZIPPER will be present at the venue to cheer on the participants. In addition, they are scheduled to hold a Special Mini Live Performance on the stage of the Honolulu Festival on the day before the race to commemorate their appointment as the official supporters.
JTB Hawaii, the organizer of the tournament, will donate a portion of the participation fee for the Rainbow EKIDEBN to educational facilities and sports program organizations in Hawaii. With the support of those who share the event’s mission, we aim to offer more people opportunities to connect through sports. The social responsibility of the JTB Group is to “strive to foster peace and global interconnectedness through the creation of opportunities for meaningful human interaction” which we believe is the very essence of sustainability.
The Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN aims to contribute to society by creating opportunities for cultural interactions through sports, promoting health, revitalizing communities, and addressing societal challenges.
JTB Hawaii, the organizer of the tournament, will donate a portion of the participation fee for the Rainbow EKIDEBN to educational facilities and sports program organizations in Hawaii. With the support of those who share the event’s mission, we aim to offer more people opportunities to connect through sports. The social responsibility of the JTB Group is to “strive to foster peace and global interconnectedness through the creation of opportunities for meaningful human interaction” which we believe is the very essence of sustainability.
The Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN aims to contribute to society by creating opportunities for cultural interactions through sports, promoting health, revitalizing communities, and addressing societal challenges.
■Event Name: Honolulu Rainbow EKIDEN 2025
■Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
■Organizer: JTB Hawaii Travel, LLC
■Co-Organizer: JTB Corp.
■Supported by: Honolulu Festival Foundation
■Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025 8:00AM (Kids Race scheduled to start at 10:00AM)
■Course: Kapiolani Park ~ Waikiki Aquarium ~ Diamond Head Road (turnaround)~Kapiolani Park (approx. 5km/lap x5 laps)
■Official website: (English) https://rainbowekiden.com/ (Japanese) https://rainbowekiden.jp/
■Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 17:00-17:30(TBA)
■Venue: Hawaii Convention Center 1F Special Venue
