(BIVN) – The Merrie Monarch Festival paid tribute to the original crew of the Hōkūleʻa canoe on Wednesday night during the traditional Hoʻike performance at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium.

Halau O Kekuhi, under the direction of kumu hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole Zane and Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, was the first to take the stage following an emotional reunion of the crew of the 1976 voyage. The hula halau performed Mele Waʻa, Ancestral Canoe Chants, to the delight of the crowd who waited in along lines to witness the night of free hula.

The Merrie Monarch Festival competition begins this evening with the Miss Aloha Hula contest.

Big Island Video News will have more video from the Hoʻike.