Halau Na Mamo o Pu‘uanahulu’s legacy grows with Merrie Monarch win

• By Nina Wu
• April 4, 2016

HILO >> A common theme running through many of the mele chosen for the 53rd Merrie Monarch Festival was continuation and rebirth. Read more

Halau Na Mamo o Pu‘uanahulu wins Merrie Monarch overall title

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• April 3, 2016

Halau Na Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu won the overall title Saturday night at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival, April 2

• April 3, 2016

Merrie Monarch Festival, hula kahiko, April 1

• April 2, 2016

Images from the hula kahiko competition of the Merrie Monarch Festival. See gallery

Kahiko takes the stage at Merrie Monarch Festival

• By Nina Wu
• April 2, 2016

If there was only one word to describe the group kahiko competition at the 53nd Merrie Monarch Festival on Friday night, it would be awe-inspiring. A total of 29 groups –nine kane and 20 wahine — brought the best of ancient-style hula to Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium. Read more

Miss Aloha Hula’s kumu challenges her, and she answers by capturing the title

• By Nina Wu
• April 2, 2016

HILO >> When Miss Aloha Hula Kayli Ka‘iulani Carr stepped on stage at the Merrie Monarch competition for her auana (modern-style) performance, it was as if she became one with the emotions of her love song. Read more

Merrie Monarch Festival, April 1

• April 1, 2016

Kayli Ka‘iulani Carr crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2016

• By Nina Wu
• April 1, 2016

Kayli Ka‘iulani Carr of Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua received the highest score from judges on Thursday night, winning the title of Miss Aloha Hula at the 53rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Read more

Miss Aloha Hula 2016

• March 31, 2016

Ohia lehua blight takes toll on hula competition

• By Nina Wu
• March 31, 2016

VOLCANO, HAWAII >> Along the edge of the Kilauea caldera lookout at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where many halau visit annually to pay respect to Pele during the Merrie Monarch Festival, an ohia lehua tree is in bloom. Read more

‘Hula will heal’

• By Nina Wu
• March 27, 2016

Standing in a tight circle, their arms around each other and pa‘u skirts forming a rainbow of colors, the ladies of the Honolulu-based halau Na Pualei o Likolehua offered a pule, or prayer, on a recent Sunday as they prepared for the 53rd Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Read more

If you want to take ohia flowers off the Big Island, you’ll need a permit

• By Associated Press
• March 23, 2016

The state Department of Agriculture is reminding people attending the Merrie Monarch hula festival in Hilo later this month that quarantine restrictions are in effect for Big Island ohia. Read more

Kumu hula sparked renaissance of Hawaiian culture

• Oct. 3, 2015

Kumu hula’s spirit ‘would fill the room and beyond’

• Sept. 29, 2015

Kumu hula Leina‘ala Kalama Heine dies

• By Nina Wu
• Sept. 9, 2015

Expanded hula festival will have more halau

• By Nina Wu
• July 15, 2015

Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua makes a victorious return

• By Nina Wu
• April 13, 2015

Halau Na Kamalei wins overall title at Merrie Monarch

• By Nina Wu
• April 12, 2015