#merrie monarch festival

Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala was awarded second place overall at the prestigious hula competition held in Hilo on the Big Island.

Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes is the fourth Miss Aloha winner in the past 4 consecutive years for hula hālau Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe and the second daughter of the group’s nā kumu hula.

Sen. Hirono first visited with Lahainaluna students participating in the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Festival who are being hosted by the YMCA of Hawai‘i Island.

In 2022, Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala – led by kumu hula Leināʻala Pavao Jardin – took first place in every category in which it competed.

“Everyone wants to look their best at the festival,” said Nita Pilago of Wahine Toa.

To kōkua (help) the people from West Maui, many of whom lost loved ones, their homes or both, the Merrie Monarch organizers decided to allow free admission to this year’s Hō’ike Night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium tonight, with the option to donate to the Lāhainā community at the door.

The County of Hawaiʻi has entered into a partnership with Hawaiian Airlines and Big Island Candies to provide complimentary shuttle service during the celebrated Merrie Monarch Festival. The initiative aims to enhance the experience for both residents and visitors shopping at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair, offering convenient transportation between key locations […]

The fair starts at 9 a.m. and goes till 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with free admission.

There Merrie Monarch Festival was recently named the top cultural festival in the United States in an online poll by USA Today’s 10Best. It’s just one of several examples during the past couple of years of the people, places, culture and things of Hawai‘i, including the Big Island, being nationally awarded or featured nationwide.

The stand evolved from current owner Lana Haasenritter’s grandmother Rebecca Tim Sing’s endeavors in the early 1940s selling lei made with flowers from her own Keaukaha yard, draped over her arms, to Lurline Cruise Line passengers as they disembarked at the Port of Hilo. She passed on her talents to her children and grandchildren, who continue to teach the next generation the art of making lei.

Check out where the Easter Bunny will be hopping around the island this weekend and get ready to celebrate everything hula and Hawaiian during the 61st annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

The men were found squatting at a closed business on Hualani Street.

Legendary musician Melveen Leed and kumu hula Iwalani Walsh Tseu were at a craft fair at the Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo giving an impromptu performance when the general manager asked them to leave, sparking some community outrage.

From the Hoʻolauleʻa and opening ceremonies on Easter Sunday to the Hōʻike, Miss Aloha Hula, group hula competition, the arts and crafts fair and everything else, what was your favorite part of the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival?

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.

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).

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.