‘Imiloa to Host Cultural Enrichment Programs in Conjunction with Merrie Monarch

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will host three days of cultural enrichment programming as it celebrates the 53^rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.

Beginning Wednesday, March 30 and lasting through Friday, April 1 ‘Imiloa will complement one of the Merrie Monarch Festival’s major purposes, in perpetuation, preservation and promotion of the art of hula and Hawaiian culture through education.

“The Merrie Monarch Festival is an important platform for sharing the history and culture of Hawai’i with thousands of people worldwide,” said Ka’iu Kimura, Executive Director of ‘Imiloa. “It is a privilege each year for ‘Imiloa to help extend the impact of the festival by offering related cultural enrichment programs for the benefit of both our local and visitor communities.”

On March 30, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., ‘Imiloa will showcase Hānau ka Ua me ka Makani, a recent publication on Hawaiian rain names and lore by Kamehameha Schools educators, Collette Akana and Kiele Gonzalez. A live performance by Hilo’s Hōkū-award winner, Mark Yamanaka will follow that afternoon from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

On March 31, ‘Imiloa will feature He Inoa no Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, A Papakū Makawalu presentation from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Hi’iakaikapolipele. The presentation is by Pomai Brandt and Ku‘ulei Higashi Kanahele, who is a PhD student in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization at Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Afternoon Hula performances by UNUKUPUKUPU will include UNUOLEHUA I and UNUOLEHUA II, under the direction of Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

On April 1, ‘Imiloa will close out its special programming with the hula drama Hānau Ke Aliʻi: Born is a Chief, performed by Hālau Nā Kīpuʻupuʻu under the direction of Kumu Hula Michah Kamohoali’i from10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The final event of the programming will feature hula performances by Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani Ē, under the direction of Kumu Hula ʻIwalani Kalima at 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

All three of the Cultural Enrichment Programs will take place in ‘Imiloa’s Moanahōkū Hall.

Tickets to each event will include access to ‘Imiloa’s interactive Exhibit Hall.

Presale tickets will be available for purchase at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s front desk, or by calling 932-8901.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for members. Tickets sold at the door will be $15.