In Hawaii, the week after Easter Sunday is when hula halau (hula schools) from the Hawaiian Islands and the mainland meet in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii for the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The Merrie Monarch Festival began in 1963 and has grown into what is now universally regarded as the most prestigious hula competition in the world.
Festival honors King David Kalakaua
The festival is named in honor of King David Kalakaua, the last king of the Hawaiian Islands, whose coronation in 1883 included public hula displays. Hula had long been banned and buried under the rules imposed by the Hawaiian missionaries.
Kalakaua ruled for seventeen years. His reign was marked by the resurgence of Hawaiian culture, music, and included numerous public hula performances.
Due to his love of dance and music, Kalakaua was nicknamed “the monarch of Merrie.” In her memory and in celebration of Hawaiian culture, dance and music, the Merrie Monarch Festival is held each year.
Festival events from April 16 to 22, 2017
In 2017, the week-long Merrie Monarch Festival will take place April 16-22, 2017.
While the highlight of the Festival will always be the three nights of hula competition that require reserved seating, there are plenty of other free events throughout the week for everyone to enjoy.
It all starts at 9:00 am on Sunday April 16 with the annual Merrie Monarch Ho’olaule’a celebration at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. Admission is free to see performances by the local Big Island halau.
Monday through Friday of Festival week, there will be free entertainment at 12:00 pm at the Grand Naniloa Hotel and at 1:00 pm at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
The annual Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Art Fair will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday through Saturday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. This free event features local artists, artisans, and lots of entertainment. On Saturday the doors will close at 4:00 pm
At 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 19, an evening of hula and popular dance performance from across the Pacific will be held at Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium. The performances are free to the public. Tickets are not required for this free event.
On Saturday, April 22, the Royal Merrie Monarch Parade will take place. The parade begins and ends on Pauahi Street and runs through downtown Hilo (Kilauea Ave. – Keawe St. – Waiānuenue Ave. – Kamehameha Ave.).
The competition from April 20 to 22, 2017
The annual competition runs for three nights. On Thursday night, the Miss Aloha Hula competition is held. This is a solo competition for women where each dancer performs hula kahiko (ancient hula) and hula ‘auana (modern hula).
The Friday and Saturday contests are for hula halau (hula schools). The hula kahiko competition is held on Friday night. On Saturday he presents the hula ‘auana, as well as the award ceremony.
Broadcast schedule
In Hawaii, KFVE, K5 The Home Team will broadcast live the 52nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival from March 31 to April 2, 2016. The broadcast is as follows:
- Backstage: Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Hawaii time
- Miss Aloha Hula: Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., Hawaii time
- Hula Kahiko (Old): Friday, April 21, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 12:30 am Hawaii time
- Hula Auana (Modern) and Awards: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 1:00 am Hawaii time
Friday night will feature kane (men) and wahine (women) halau (groups) dancing the kahiko, a traditional dance.
On Saturday night, Kane and Wahine Halau perform their ‘auana. Winning halau are announced after the final presentation.
The competition can also be viewed live on the Internet via video streaming on the station’s website: K5 The Home Team.
Videos of all presentations will be available the day after the presentation.
For more information
For additional information on the Merrie Monarch Festival, visit the Festival’s website at www.merriemonarch.com.
