Hālau Hula O Kauhionāmauna under the direction of Kumu Theresa Kauhionāmauna Ramento Tehiva performs during the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on the Big Island. (Merrie Monarch Festival Facebook page)
The historic 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival came to a close Saturday night after the awards for the group hula competition were handed out to the winning hālau.
The stage and Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo on the Big Island might now be quiet, but the memories made during the wonderful weeklong celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture will last for years to come.
Commenting on the same post, Celest Swann said: “I’ve never had [the] sweet honor of being on the island but I soooo love and respect the culture of such [incredibly] beautiful and dedicated people! Thank you for sharing with us! I’ve watched for some time.”
People came to Hilo from throughout the state, mainland and around the globe to take part in and enjoy the festival dedicated to the “Merrie Monarch” himself, King David Kalākaua. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green was one of them. He and his wife Jaime attended Hōʻike Night, the popular non-competitive exhibition of hula, on April 12. They also took in the official Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair while they were in town.
Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green takes a selfie with a couple who was also enjoying the official Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair on April 12.Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth, second from left, and his wife Noriko, left, take a selfie with Gov. Josh Green, right, and his wife Jaime, second from right, during Hōʻike Night on April 12 as part of the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Photos from Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green’s Facebook page.
“Magic is in the air at the Merrie Monarch Festival,” the governor said in a Facebook post that day. “This event is a cultural expression of who we are, heard around the world.”
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For seven days, from the Hoʻolauleʻa and opening ceremonies on Easter Sunday to the Hōʻike, Miss Aloha Hula, group hula competition, the arts and crafts fair, the Royal Parade and everything else that kept the world busy — and sometimes on the edge of its seat waiting to learn who won the Super Bowl of hula — it definitely was magical.
Whether you watched online or sat directly next to the stage, we’re sure you had fun. But what would you say was your favorite event?
The poll runs until April 21. Leave a comment below or on social media to let us know why you voted the way you did. Or if you think we left your Merrie Monarch fave off the list, let us know what it is and why.
The results of the poll will be published April 23.
Photo courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Photo courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Image courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Photo by Nathan Christophel/Big Island Now
Photo courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Photo courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Photo courtesy of the Merrie Monarch Festival
Additional photos from the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
Nathan Christophel Nathan Christophel is a full-time reporter with Pacific Media Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in journalism as a reporter, copy editor and page designer. He previously worked at the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo. Nathan can be reached at [email protected] Read Full Bio
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