The week of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival starts on Easter day, April 24, in Hilo, Hawaii. From April 24 to 30, Hilo showcases Hula with daily events at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hawaii Naniloa Volcanoes Resort, and ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Arts and crafts fairs show off Hawaiian art around the town.
The Music festival, Ho'olaulea, at the Civic Auditorium on Easter day is our favorite event. It showcases hula performed by dancers and musicians from the Big Island including popular and traditional hula songs. On Wednesday night is the free Hula exhibition, Ho’ike, showcasing hula and dance in the Edith Kanaka'ole Multipurpose Stadium. The event is worth the long wait in line to get a view of the pageantry and feel the excitement of the Merrie Monarch festival. The hula competitions are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, but if you don’t have a ticket you can watch the performances live on KITV or on the internet at KITV’s web site. Saturday is the colorful Merrie Monarch parade through downtown Hilo.
If you can make it to Hilo for even part of the week, you will not be disappointed and may be surprised at the depth and intensity of traditional Hawaiian Hula being preserved by the Merrie Monarch festival. Here is a calendar with all the Merrie Monarch events, which is being updated as new information becomes available.
