62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival culminates tonight with group hula ʻauana

Miss Aloha Hula 2025 was crowned Thursday and the 20 participating hālau took to the grand Merrie Monarch Festival stage Friday night at Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo to showcase their skills in hula kahiko, the ancient style of hula, honoring the people and places of Hawai‘i.

The 62nd annual installment of the “Super Bowl of Hula” that shines a spotlight on everything hula and Hawaiian culminates tonight with the second and final night of group competition, this time featuring hula ʻauana, a more modern and less formal style of hula.

“‘Auana” means to wander or drift, and this style of hula drifted away from the more traditional kahiko.

It is more interactive with the audience, taking influence from Western culture, and typically accompanied by song and a variety of instruments such as the guitar, steel guitar, bass and ‘ukulele.

Group hula ʻauana competition begins at 6 p.m. today at the stadium.

Once judges Maelia Carter, Sonny Ching, Pualani Kanahele, Noenoe Lewis, Etua Lopes, Tracie Lopes and Wallis Punua tally their scores, winners will be announced during an awards ceremony that will close out the weeklong festival.

The hālau and their kumu participating in the 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival are:

• Hālau I Ka Wēkiu, Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Casupang.
• Ka Pā Hula O Ka Lei Lehua, Kumu Hula Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento.
• Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua, Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawākiuokalani Cazimero.
• Hālau Keali‘i O Nālani, Kumu Hula Keali‘i Ceballos.
• Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Laka, Nā Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire & Regina Makaʻikaʻi Igarashi Pascua.
• Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea, Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe.
• Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima, Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva.
• Hālau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani, Kumu Hula Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang.
• Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima, Nā Kumu Hula Vicky Hanakaʻulaniokamāmalu Holt Takamine and Jeff Kānekaiwilani Takamine.
• Academy of Hawaiian Arts, Kumu Hula Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu.
• Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala, Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin.
• Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela, Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook and Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o.
• Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua, Nā Kumu Hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV and Lono Padilla.
• Hālau o ka Hanu Lehua, Kumu Hula Carlson Kamaka Kukona III.
• Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Nā Kumu Hula Haunani and ‘Iliahi Paredes.
• Ke Kai O Kahiki, Kumu Hula La‘akea Perry.
• Kawai‘ulaokalā, Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski.
• Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva.
• Hālau Hula O Kauhionāmauna, Kumu Hula Theresa Kauhionāmauna Ramento Tehiva.
• Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine, Kumu Hula Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval.

Hawai‘i News Now – KFVE, the festival’s official broadcaster, will also again carry the event live on-air and online.

You can also follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram or visit the official website for additional information.

Before the final night of competition begins, plenty of craft fairs, markets and other events continue throughout Hilo in case you haven’t had a chance to check any out yet.

That includes the official Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair, which continues until 4 p.m. today at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, located at 323 Manono St., and adjacent Butler Buildings. It’s free to enter and features local artists, crafters and entertainment.

You can grab your official festival apparel, posters and programs while you’re there, too.

Here’s a look at the other “unofficial” Merrie Monarch events still happening this afternoon before the festival is finished.

HOʻOHUA HAWAIʻI MERRIE MONARCH MĀKEKE

WHEN: Until 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Kāwili Business Center, 315 E. Kāwili St.

• CREATED TO SHOWCASE GIFTED TALENTS while cultivating a community space that values connections among people and the stories shared through the work of their craftsmanship. Fostering a support system for individuals and the many ‘ohana who come along. Hoʻohua Hawaiʻi is growing more than just businesses. Nearly 20 vendors featured.

MĀKEKE NANILOA

WHEN: Until 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Grand Naniloa Hotel, 93 Banyan Drive

• THIS SPECIAL MĀKEKE, or marketplace, at one of Hilo’s foremost Merrie Monarch Festival detinations features Hawaiian clothes, unique jewelry and tasty pūpū, or bites. You won’t want to miss this incredible celebration! There will be about 50 vendors featuring a wide variety of products.

2025 MANA INVITATIONAL ART SHOW

WHEN: Until 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Wailoa Art Center, 200 Piʻopiʻo St.

• FEARING NEARLY 30 OF HAWAI‘I’S PREMIER ARTISTS sharing their mana‘o and mana with their art. An accompanying show in the Fountain Gallery, “The Haumana of Kamehameha School,” features a collection of artwork by 28 Kamehameha High School students. If you don’t get to see the exhibit by the end of the festival, it continues until May 1.

32ND ANNUAL HAWAI‘I ARTS, CRAFTS AND FOOD FESTIVAL

WHEN: Until 5 p.m.

LOCATION: Nani Mau Gardens, 421 Makalika St.

• COME CELEBRATE the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai’i’s diverse people and environment. The event features some of the finest artisans, crafters and food vendors from throughout the islands. There will be prize giveaways, music, entertainment, hula performances, demonstrations and onolicious foods. Free admission.

KĀKOʻO HAWAIʻI “ONE MERRIE” VIP SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

WHEN: Until 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Sangha Hall, 424 Kīlauea Ave.

• THE PEOPLE OR HAWAIʻI are diverse, unique and rich in culture, with many gifts and talents to offer the world. So, too, are the local small businesses of the islands. This shopping experience brings community together to support each other while featuring more than 50 vendors offering a wide variety of products. Free admission.

PUALU HAWAIʻI MĀKEKE

WHEN: Until 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Hilo Daijingu Activity Center, 10 ʻĀnela St.

• E HELE MAI and experience the essence of Pualu Hawaii as we hoʻomau our cultural heritage through Mele, hula, crafts, and the joy of laulima. A week filled with hoʻokipa, traditions, and ʻike kuʻuna. More than 40 vendors featured offering a wide variety of products for sale. Free admission.

MERRIE MONARCH CRAFT FAIR

WHEN: Until 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Pūʻainakō St.

• FEATURING ABOUT 70 VENDORS offering a huge variety of products for sale throughout the mall’s hallways. You can also pick up your official festival merchandise while you’re shopping, and there is sure to be some entertainment.

KA ʻUHANE HEMOLELE O KA MĀLAMALAMA CHURCH: HAWAIIAN FOOD

WHEN: Until 7 p.m.

LOCATION: 316 King Ave., Keaukaha

• COME GET your laulau, kalua pig, smoke meat and pastelle fix, plus more. Phone orders can be made by calling 808-961-9195, 808-464-4202 or 808-464-4284. Walk-up orders are welcome until 7 p.m. Orders are cash only and taken until 6 p.m. You also can order online through the Express Waiters mobile app. Find the full menu online.