#61st annual Merrie Monarch Festival
Merrie Monarch Ho‘ike Night more than simple showcase of hula, folk dance
The prequel to the festival’s 3 days of hula competition, which kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday with the individual Miss Aloha Hula contest, also celebrated Native Hawaiian culture by honoring 40 years of efforts by ‘Aha Pūnana Leo to revitalize and normalize ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language). The festival also collected donations to help recovery efforts in Lāhainā, Maui, after a deadly wildfire devastated the community in August 2023.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for week of April 4-10: Merrie Monarch Festival continues; several other events abound
The Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair continues today through Saturday. The Merrie Monarch Royal Parade is Saturday. Here’s all the details.