If hālau do have lehua or liko in their lei, the dancers can return it to the ‘āina on their own by leaving it at mile markers 12 and 16 along Daniel K. Inouye Highway on the Big island.

The three-day competition started Thursday with Miss Aloha Hula and continued on Friday with Kahiko (ancient) hula. The event culminated with the ‘auana (modern) performances on Saturday.

The Royal Parade drew thousands to see high school bands, hālaus, paniolos, princesses, organizations and more walk the 2-mile route from Kamehameha Avenue all the way around downtown Hilo to celebrate the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.  

Saturday is the last day of the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival, with the Royal Parade in the morning and the last hula competition and crowning of the group champions in the evening.

The official Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair that showcases and supports more than 150 of Hawai‘i’s best artisans and creators will be open one more day, on Saturday, at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings in Hilo on the Big Island.

Wāhine and kāne dancers from 23 hālau took the stage Friday on the first night of group competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo on the Big Island.

On Thursday night, a 21-year-old from Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, was swept over by emotions when she was announced as the Miss Aloha Hula 2023 at the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island.

The second night of competition takes place Friday at the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival with groups performing hula kahiko (ancient hula dances).

With 1,148 points, Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown, who dances with Oʻahu hālau Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe, won the title of Miss Aloha Hula 2023 on Thursday during the first night of competition for the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on the Big Island.

The historic and much-anticipated 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival officially kicked off at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo on the Big Island with a Hōʻike Night for the ages.

The Merrie Monarch Royal Parade will be in Downtown Hilo on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with than 100 horses gussied up to carry women dressed in long, colorful skirts (pāʻu) riding sidesaddle or as part of a private mount group.

Today, the competition begins at the 60th Merrie Monarch Festival, with 12 candidates vying for Miss Aloha Hula.

As of noon Wednesday till Saturday, Kalanikoa Street between Piʻilani and Kuawa Streets are converted to a one-way traffic pattern (Northerly-Hilo bound).

Generations of kāne and wāhine dancers taught by the late Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho will take the stage tonight to honor him at Hō‘ike Night, which kicks off the 60th Merrie Monarch Festival.

Whatʻs happening on April 12 at the Merrie Monarch Festival? Check out our official and unofficial list of events.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation alerts travelers of busy times at airports as thousands will go to the Big Island for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, April 12-15.

Using ipu grown at his farm, Kalim Smith builds ipu heke, a double-gourd drum, and ipu heke ‘ole, a single gourd drum, which are used in ancient hula.

Anyone who violates the quarantine rule may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100 with a maximum fine of $10,000.

Although the initial motivation for the Merrie Monarch Festival was to boost the economy of Hawaiʻi island through tourism, this event has come to serve a far greater purpose, which is perpetuating Hawaiian culture.

The action isn’t just at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium and Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium during Merrie Monarch Week on the Big Island. There are several other venues throughout Hilo and East Hawai‘i that will feature hula, music, arts and crafts, Hawaiian cultural events and other entertainment.