Cultural classes and Hawaiian entertainment returns to the Royal Hawaiian Center. Since the center opened its doors on Kalakāau Avenue in 1980, it has welcomed both locals and visitors and aimed to provide the best shopping and dining experiences and cultural lessons. Step into The Royal Grove to discover the legacy of Helumoa, Waikīkī’s historic […]
We chat with former Miss Aloha Hulas Natalie Ai Kamauʻu (1990), TeHani Gonzado (2000), Malia Petersen Arakaki (2002), Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem (2010) and Manalani (English) Souza (2013) as the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival competition airs today through Sunday. When the 2020 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival was officially canceled last March, the impact on the
The Merrie Monarch Festival is back this year—and competition starts today in Hilo. There is one change: It will be broadcasted on television—meaning no spectators—due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The performances and announcement of winners will be broadcast on July 1 to 3. In 2020 festival president Luana Kawelu made the crucial decision to cancel
“Hi Meleana. This is Auntie Luana [Kawelu]. I’m calling to let you know that this is your formal invitation to participate in Merrie Monarch 2020.” This was the call that changed kumu hula Meleana Manuel’s life. A native of Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island, Manuel had competed in the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival, known as the Olympics
For hula practitioners and avid spectators, summer is another exciting season for cultural celebration as the Prince Lot Hula Festival takes center stage. While many halau prepare tirelessly for prestigious hula competitions, the Prince Lot Hula Festival distinguishes itself as Hawaii’s premier noncompetitive hula festival. Welcoming halau and dancers of all ages and skill levels,
If you didn’t get a ticket to watch the Merrie Monarch Festival, Hawaii’s premier hula competition, don’t feel bad, not many of us did. But just because you aren’t going to be able to see the hula halau (hula schools) perform in-person doesn’t mean you can’t see it at all. Below is the schedule of events for the three
In the era of modern hula, organized competitions such as the Merrie Monarch Festival have increasingly become the standard by which the reputation of halau hula (hula schools) are measured. After all, the spirit of competition is one that inherently encourages passion, unity and ingenuity. But 40 years after the first dancer graced its stage,
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
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)
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
