The 61st annual Merrie Monarch Festival runs from March 31 to April 6, with the competition held at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island. One of the largest events of the year, the festival features three straight days of competition—the Miss Aloha Hula competition on April 4, the kahiko division on […]
It was a fantastic weekend of hula on Hawaiʻi Island. The 60th Merrie Monarch Festival showcased some of the best hula halau (hula schools) from around Hawaiʻi, with Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes of Oʻahu taking the overall title at this year’s festivities.
We chat with former Miss Aloha Hulas Natalie Ai Kamauʻu (1990), TeHani Gonzado (2000), Malia Petersen Arakaki (2002), Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem (2010) and Manalani (English) Souza (2013) as the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival competition airs today through Sunday. When the 2020 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival was officially canceled last March, the impact on the
After months of preparation, kumu hula (hula teachers) lead their halau (troupes) on the pilgrimage to Hilo for the annual Merrie Monarch Festival competition. And while the months of diligent practice is evident from the incredible precision and grace showcased onstage, there is one element of preparation unseen by the public eye: the legendary Merrie
After two nights of group hula competition, the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii Island concluded with awards given to the best halau (groups) in the Islands. Twenty-nine halau (20 wahine, nine kane) vied for top awards with their kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) performances, telling moolelo (legends)
