And that’s a wrap. With the 55th Merrie Monarch Festival coming to a close last night, we’ve seen three full days of excellent hula performances and competition. With 24 of Hawaii’s top halau hula (troupes) competing to win an assortment of titles, and 12 female contestants striving to be named 2018 Miss Aloha Hula, it’s […]
Hilo becomes fashion central during Merrie Monarch week, as people take to the streets in their favorite Hawaiian attire, so we sent Hawaii Island photographer Dino Morrow to snap photos of some of the best style moments around Edith Kanakaole Stadium. Queen Liliuokalani-proud in this statement T-shirt and elegant lei hulu lauhala papale (feathered hat). Hawaii’s
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
These hula-minded Instagram feeds will cover all the excitement happening in Hilo during the hula community’s favorite time of year. Be sure to follow them this week as they share the fun (both on and off stage) during the 2018 Merrie Monarch Festival. For stage photos and recap: @merriemonarchfestival View this post on Instagram
Another year of extraordinary hula and Hawaiian music is taking place this week as the 55th annual Merrie Monarch Festival begins this Thursday, April 5 through Saturday April 7 in Hilo, Hawaii Island. Though tickets sell out immediately upon release in November, hula fans can still enjoy the competition from the comforts of home. And
Every year, Hilo becomes abuzz with excitement as the annual Merrie Monarch Festival rolls around. A weeklong celebration of hula, Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit, it’s easy to get lost in the festivities and goings on. With a hoolaulea (celebration), an art festival, crafts fair and much-anticipated hula competitions happening on different days, make
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)
When it’s in full swing, the Merrie Monarch Festival brings out more than just the best in hula. Off the stage, attendees put on a quite a show of their own in stylish clothing, headwear and accessories. Floral prints, intricate lei and a bold affinity for color found their way onto the crowd this year,
The chants about Panaewa Forest, which lies between Kilauea and the ocean on Hawaii Island, describe it as having been created by the violent force of Pele and healed by Hiiaka. It became a lush rain forest, with towering ohia lehua trees and red lehua rain. The environment was rich with every plant needed for healing
We hope you’re ready for another year of phenomenal hula and Hawaiian music as the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival gets underway tomorrow, Thursday, April 20 through Saturday, April 22 in Hilo, Hawaii. Though tickets have been sold out for months, you can still enjoy the competition from the comforts of home. Each moment is captured live on television,
It’s the hottest ticket in Hawaii—the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii Island this week. Beginning with Easter Sunday, a week of festivities will culminate with amazing hula performances under the bright lights of the Edith Kanakaole Stadium for three nights of competition (all Hawaii Standard Time): Miss Aloha Hula: Thursday, April 20, 6 to
The heart of the Merrie Monarch Festival centers around more than half-a-century of hula, but it’s no secret that attendees also gravitate to Hilo for its famous dining and shopping scene—craft fairs, pop-up shops and hole-in-the-wall eateries. WHERE TO EAT Hilo’s merriest time of the year also brings visitors together from all over the globe, where
