The latest news coverage of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a weeklong hula competition on Hawaii island celebrating the Hawaiian culture.
The Merrie Monarch Festival stage at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo is set, ready for dancers to put forth their best performances in the prestigious hula competition. Read more
Their overall score of 1,201 points gave them both the wahine overall title and the group overall win and the Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy. Read more
Ka‘onohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes is the fourth consecutive Miss Aloha Hula produced by Ka La ‘Onohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e and the second daughter of the kumu to win the most coveted title for a solo hula dancer. Read more
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionamakua Thronas Brown won the Miss Aloha Hula title at the 60th Merrie Monarch Festival Thursday night in Hilo. Read more
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
