Merrie Monarch: Participating Hālau, Judges, Schedule

Merrie Monarch 2019 kumu and judges. PC: Merrie Monarch Festival

The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival will return this spring with a lineup of stellar hula performances from April 21 to 27, 2019.

JUDGES

Maelia Loebenstein Carter
Vicky Holt Takamine
Nālani Kanaka‘ole Zane
Noenoelani Zuttermeister Lewis
Nani Lim Yap
Etua Lopes
Keali‘i Reichel

HĀLAU

Hālau Hula Olana
Nā Kumu Hula Olana, Howard Ai, Shelsea Ai Apana

Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
Nā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Casupang

Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu
Nā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera

Beamer-Solomon Hālau O Po‘ohala
Kumu Hula Hulali Solomon Covington

Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Laka
Kumu Hula Keolalaulani Dalire

Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe

Hālau Keolakapuokalani
Kumu Hula Drake Keolakapu Dudoit Delaforcé

Hālau Mōhala ʻIlima
Kumu Hula Māpuana de Silva

Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani
Kumu Hula Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang

Keali‘ika‘apunihonua Ke‘ena A‘o Hula
Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho

Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala
Kumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao Jardin

Hālau‘O Lilinoe
Nā Kumu Hula Sissy & Lilinoe Kaio

Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Hula Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo & Kunewa Mook

Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua
Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla

Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua
Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona

Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes

Kawailiʻulā
Kumu Hula Chinky Māhoe

Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes

Ke Kai O Kahiki
Kumu Hula La‘akea Perry

Kawaiʻulaokalā
Kumu Hula Keli‘iho‘omalu Puchalski

Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā
Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad

Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine
Kumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval

Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu
Kumu Hula Kenneth “Aloha” Victor

EVENT SCHEDULE

Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)
9 a.m., Sunday, April 21
at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.

Free Mid-day Entertainment
Daily (Monday through Friday)
Grand Naniloa Hotel (noon)
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.)

Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday,
Wednesday, April 24, through Friday, April 26
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 27
Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters and entertainment.

Hōʻike Performances
6 p.m., Wednesday, April 24
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from around the Pacific.
The performances are free to the public, no tickets required.

Miss Aloha Hula
6 p.m., Thursday, April 25
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chant).

Group Hula Kahiko
6 pm, Friday, April 26
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.

Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards
6 p.m., Saturday, April 27
Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.

Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 27 through downtown Hilo
One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. (Kīlauea Ave.–Keawe St.–Waiānuenue Ave.–Kamehameha Ave.).

The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David La‘amea Kalākaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways. Kalākaua was elected king of the Hawaiian Nation in 1874, and reigned until his passing in 1891. He was a patron of the arts, especially music and dance.