The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival will return this spring with a lineup of stellar hula performances from April 21 to 27, 2019.

JUDGES

Maelia Loebenstein Carter

Vicky Holt Takamine

Nālani Kanaka‘ole Zane

Noenoelani Zuttermeister Lewis

Nani Lim Yap

Etua Lopes

Keali‘i Reichel

HĀLAU

SPONSORED VIDEO

Hālau Hula Olana

Nā Kumu Hula Olana, Howard Ai, Shelsea Ai Apana

Hālau I Ka Wēkiu

Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Casupang

Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu

Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera

Beamer-Solomon Hālau O Po‘ohala

Kumu Hula Hulali Solomon Covington

Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Laka

Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea

Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe

Hālau Keolakapuokalani

Kumu Hula Drake Keolakapu Dudoit Delaforcé

Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima

Kumu Hula Māpuana de Silva

Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani

Kumu Hula Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang

Keali‘ika‘apunihonua Ke‘ena A‘o Hula

Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho

Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala

Kumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao Jardin

Hālau‘O Lilinoe

Nā Kumu Hula Sissy & Lilinoe Kaio

Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela

Nā Kumu Hula Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo & Kunewa Mook

Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua

Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla

Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua

Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe

Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes

Kawailiʻulā

Kumu Hula Chinky Māhoe

Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi

Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes

Ke Kai O Kahiki

Kumu Hula La‘akea Perry

Kawaiʻulaokalā

Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski

Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā

Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad

Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine

Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval

Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu

Kumu Hula Kenneth “Aloha” Victor

EVENT SCHEDULE

Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)

9 a.m., Sunday, April 21

at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.

Free Mid-day Entertainment

Daily (Monday through Friday)

Grand Naniloa Hotel (noon)

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.)

Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday,

Wednesday, April 24, through Friday, April 26

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 27

Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters and entertainment.

Hōʻike Performances

6 p.m., Wednesday, April 24

Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from around the Pacific.

The performances are free to the public, no tickets required.

Miss Aloha Hula

6 p.m., Thursday, April 25

Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chant).

Group Hula Kahiko

6 pm, Friday, April 26

Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.

Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards

6 p.m., Saturday, April 27

Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium

Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.

Merrie Monarch Royal Parade

10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 27 through downtown Hilo

One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. (Kīlauea Ave.–Keawe St.–Waiānuenue Ave.–Kamehameha Ave.).

The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David La‘amea Kalākaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways. Kalākaua was elected king of the Hawaiian Nation in 1874, and reigned until his passing in 1891. He was a patron of the arts, especially music and dance.