Merrie Monarch Festival continues with Hula Kahiko

• April 5, 2024

Kaneohe halau’s Lopes wins Miss Aloha Hula 2024

• By Nina Wu
• April 5, 2024
• 2

It was the fourth Miss Aloha Hula win in a row for kumu Keawe and Tracie Lopes of Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha’eha’e in Kaneohe. Read more

Miss Aloha Hula competition held at Merrie Monarch Festival

• April 4, 2024

Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off with Ho‘ike Night

• April 3, 2024

Merrie Monarch underway, voted best cultural festival

• By Nina Wu
• April 1, 2024
• 6

The festival is held in memory of King David Kalakaua, the “Merrie Monarch” and his dedication to reviving Hawaiian music, arts and hula. Read more

Postmark date for Merrie Monarch tickets is Dec. 1

• By Esme M. Infante
• Nov. 30, 2023
• 1

For Merrie Monarch Festival fans hoping to score tickets to the 2024 hula competition in Hilo, Friday is the all-important “postmark day.” Read more

Estimated $2.7K worth of Merrie Monarch items stolen on Big Isle

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• June 19, 2023
• 17

Festival vice president Kathy Kawelu said it is the first time in recent history there has been a burglary at the office near Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium. Read more

Top 3 halau reflect on their Merrie Monarch success

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 17, 2023
• 4

In a harsher art or sport, having the top three finishers in the year’s ultimate competition each separated by a mere single point might be occasion for them to rage and plot revenge. Read more

Kaneohe halau makes clean sweep at Merrie Monarch with overall title

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 16, 2023
• 7

Only one point separated the victorious halau, led by Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes, from the second place overall winner, Halau Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu. Read more

Merrie Monarch’s full return revives Hilo’s ‘spirit’ and commerce

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 16, 2023
• 3

The weeklong Merrie Monarch Festival is the heartbeat of the Hilo community, its yearly swell the rhythm by which the community here lives, so many residents and visitors alike this past week have been overjoyed at its revival. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival concludes with hula ‘auana

• April 15, 2023

Meet Miss Aloha Hula 2023

• April 15, 2023

Kaneohe halau gets third consecutive Miss Aloha Hula title

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 15, 2023
• 4

Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown has danced hula since she was 9 years old, exclusively with Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e. Read more

Kahiko competition highlights Friday night at Merrie Monarch Festival

• April 14, 2023

New Miss Aloha Hula makes it a three-peat for winning halau

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 14, 2023
• 23

Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown won the Miss Aloha Hula title at the 60th Merrie Monarch Festival Thursday night in Hilo. Read more

Merrie Monarch competition begins with Miss Aloha Hula

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 14, 2023
• 2

What people see on the Merrie Monarch Festival stage is but a fraction of the year-round work, struggles and heartbeat of a halau. Read more

Miss Aloha Hula competition opens Merrie Monarch Festival

• April 13, 2023

Merrie Monarch returns with laughter, tears of joy from eager fans

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 13, 2023
• 14

“Let us fill this Ho‘ike hale, this Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium, as it should be! … Hilo, how we have missed you!” Read more