Merrie Monarch Festival Moves Forward

The development of rigorous safety guidelines and a television broadcast plan will allow for the safe return of the Merrie Monarch Festival after it was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there will be no live audience, there will be a three-night television broadcast of the hula competition on Hawaiʻi News Now’s KFVE. Performances will take place and be judged in Hilo at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium on June 24-26 and then be broadcasted on KFVE the following week on July 1-3 at which time the winners will be announced.

The event has been held every year since 1964, but last year, Festival President Luana Kawelu made the decision to call off the festival weeks before it was to take place to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Since then, Kawelu has worked with health professionals and a team of advisors to develop safety guidelines modeled after those used by professional sports teams and associations to bring the festival safely back.

“The health and wellbeing of all hālau participants and the community overall was our top priority then and continues to be now as we move forward with holding the event this year,” Kawelu stated. “We are grateful to our partners, including representatives from The Queen’s Health Systems, that are lending their time, expertise and resources to help us set up and implement this comprehensive safety plan.”

All hālau participants, festival staff, as well as the television production crew have agreed to follow the guidelines that include undergoing multiple COVID testings, a five-day isolation period prior to entering the competition venue for the first time, and daily screenings to continually monitor participants for symptoms.

“It was a lot to consider given that competition preparation is intense in and of itself,” stated Kumu Hula Keʻano Kaʻupu of Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua. “But hula isn’t just an activity we do, it is our way of life and we really wanted to be back in this Merrie Monarch space and community.”

Fellow Kumu, Lono Padilla, added that “the level of detail and analysis that went into the guidelines and protocols reassured us that this was something we could do safely.”

County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Mitch Roth affirmed the County’s support of the festival.

“As a dedicated and crucial partner, the County of Hawai‘i continues to work closely with Merrie Monarch Festival President Luana Kawelu, and the Organizing Committee,” Roth said. “I have received, read and approved the comprehensive and robust outline of the extensive protocols and actions.”

There are a total of 15 hālau participating (listed below) that will present 11 Wahine and eight Kāne performances in both the Kahiko and ʻAuana categories as well as seven Miss Aloha Hula entrants.

Check the festival’s website – merriemonarch.com – and follow their social media platforms, as well as HNN’s multiple stations and digital platforms for ongoing updates and information.

List of Participating Hālau:
Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua
Hālau Hula ‘O Nāpunaheleonāpua
Hālau Hula Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa
Hālau Hula Olana
Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala
Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu
Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi
Hālau Keolakapuokalani
Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua
Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e
Kawai‘ulaokalā
Kawaili‘ulā
Ke Kai O Kahiki