Merrie Monarch Festival

Merrie Monarch competition begins with Miss Aloha Hula

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 14, 2023

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

“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

Hula fans return to Merrie Monarch Festival for ho‘ike night

• April 12, 2023

Hula dancers prepare for Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo

• April 12, 2023

Merrie Monarch Festival returns at full strength for 60th anniversary

• By Esme M. Infante
• April 9, 2023

Extra excitement over the complete return of this year’s festival is palpable in nearly any discussion with a festival attendee or performer. Read more

The 60th Merrie Monarch Festival is on in April

• By Nina Wu
• March 20, 2023

“We’re just happy to be back, and to be able to celebrate hula again,” said Festival President Luana Kawelu. “The halau are also excited to return to the stage and just enjoy hula.” Read more

Kauai halau takes top prize at Merrie Monarch Festival

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• April 25, 2022

Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala of Kalaheo, Kauai, under the direction of kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, also took first place in both the wahine auana and wahine kahiko divisions. Read more

Kauai halau takes top prize at Merrie Monarch Festival

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• April 24, 2022

Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala of Kalaheo, Kauai, under the direction of kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, also took first place in both the wahine ‘auana and wahine kahiko divisions Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival closes with hula ‘auana competition

• April 23, 2022

Pi‘ikea Lopes wins Miss Aloha Hula 2022, following in mother’s footsteps

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• April 22, 2022

Lopes, of Ka La ‘Onohi Mai o Ha‘eha‘e and under the direction of her parents and kumu hula, Tracie and Keawe Lopes, won the competition with a judges’ score of 1,168 points. Read more

Miss Aloha Hula competition highlights Merrie Monarch Festival’s second day

• April 21, 2022

Merrie Monarch kicks off with craft fair

• By Leila Fujimori
• April 21, 2022

The most celebrated annual hula competition hasn’t had a live audience in Hilo since 2019, but that changes today. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival returns to Hilo

• April 20, 2022

Edith Kanakaʻole’s recognition on coin shows she is ‘just as alive now as she’s ever been,’ family says

• By Jayna Omaye
• April 16, 2022

Whenever Kuha‘o Zane dances with Halau o Kekuhi at the Merrie Monarch Festival’s ho‘ike, he always thinks about the Hilo stadium’s namesake — his grandma, Edith Kanaka‘ole. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival 2022 will go on, but no public tickets will be sold

• By Nina Wu
• Dec. 2, 2021

Merrie Monarch Festival organizers are planning to move forward with a hula competition this April with a limited live audience, but will not be selling tickets to the general public. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival plans up in air because of pandemic

• By Associated Press
• Oct. 15, 2021

In normal times, thousands of people from around the world descend on Hilo on the Big Island for the Merrie Monarch Festival. Read more

Oahu-based hula halau Kawaili‘ula captures overall title at 58th Merrie Monarch Festival

• By Nina Wu
• July 7, 2021

With a total score of 1,180 points, hula halau Kawaili‘ula under the direction of kumu Chinky Mahoe was named overall winner of the 58th Merrie Monarch Festival. Read more