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A Celebration of Hawaiian Culture
The Merrie Monarch Festival, held annually in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, is a week-long celebration dedicated to the perpetuation of hula and Hawaiian culture. Named in honor of King David Kalākaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his dedication to reviving Hawaiian arts, this event showcases the finest hālau (hula schools) and their mastery of traditional and modern hula.
Established in 1963, the festival has become the premier forum for hula, drawing participants and spectators from around the world. The festivities include cultural demonstrations, craft fairs, an iconic parade, and three nights of hula competitions at the renowned Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Dancers compete in both ancient (kahiko) and modern (ʻauana) hula, demonstrating their connection to Hawaii’s rich traditions.
The Merrie Monarch Festival is widely regarded as the “Olympics of Hula,” playing a critical role in the Hawaiian cultural renaissance and inspiring generations to embrace and preserve the language, music, and dance of Hawaii.
Learn more: merriemonarch.com
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