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The annual Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture and
dance held in Hilo, Hawaii. Set amongst some of the most scenic Hilo real estate, the
festival has been credited with maintaining cultural traditions and continuing the
popularity of hula, the Hawaiian dance. A number of hula halau attend the festival.
While most participants are from Hawaii, a number of people travel from Japan and the
U.S. mainland to take part in the festivities, either as observers or competitors. Most
flights into and out of Hilo are usually booked months in advance of the weekend with
ticket prices easily soaring to their annual highs during the festival. After all, the hula
contests are the most important part of the week’s events.

Located at the Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium, the hula portion of Merrie Monarch includes the Miss Aloha Hula solo competition, a kahiko, or ancient style,
competition, and an auana, or moderns style, competition. Both males and females
have their own divisions and are judged on a number of aspects. The entrance, chant,
dance, and exit are all carefully watched and scored by a panel of elite hula dancers,
experts of Hawaiian heritage, and cultural and language professionals. With up to 30
halaus participating each year, competition is especially tough, making award winners
extremely prestigious within the community of Hawaii.

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