Art of Hula:
Language
of the Heart
Welina Mai Kākou
Welcome, and thank you for sharing your aloha for hula and the Hawaiian culture.
• Learn about the Festival •
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a non-profit organization that honors the legacy of King David Kalākaua, who inspired the perpetuation of our traditions, native language and arts.
Our week-long festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition, an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.
• Read more •
The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival runs
MARCH 31st- APRIL 6th, 2024
Festival Events – March 31- April 6, 2024
Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)
9:00 a.m., Sunday, March 31st
at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.
Free Mid-day Entertainment
Daily (Monday through Friday)
Entertainment at the Grand Naniloa Hotel (12 p.m.),
and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.).
Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday,
April 3rd through Friday, April 5th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6th
at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
An annual favorite, this free event features local artists, crafters, and entertainment.
Hōʻike Performances
6:00 pm, Wednesday, April 3rd
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
An exhibition night of hula and folk dance from around the Pacific.
The performances are free to the public, no tickets required.
Miss Aloha Hula
6:00 pm, Thursday, April 4th
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chant).
Group Hula Kahiko
6:00 pm, Friday, April 5th
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.
Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards
6:00 pm, Saturday, April 6th
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners.
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
10:30 am, Saturday, April 6th
through downtown Hilo
One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. (Kilauea Ave. — Keawe St. — Waiānuenue Ave. — Kamehameha Ave.).
2024 Festival & Parade Traffic Pattern Info
2024 Participants
2024 Merrie Monarch Festival Live
‘Ōlelo Stream English Stream
Watch the 61st Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition on merriemonarch.com each night beginning at 6:00pm HST on April 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2024
2024 Photo Gallery
Hō‘ike | Miss Aloha Hula | Hula Kahiko | Hula ‘Auana | Royal Parade
Award Recipients
2023 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2023 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2023 Kahiko
• View All 2023 Kahiko Winners •
2023 ʻAuana
• View All 2023 ʻAuana Winners •
2022 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2022 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2022 Kahiko
• View All 2022 Kahiko Winners •
2022 ʻAuana
• View All 2022 ʻAuana Winners •
2021 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2021 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2021 Kahiko
• View All 2021 Kahiko Winners •
2021 ʻAuana
• View All 2021 ʻAuana Winners •
2019 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2019 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2019 Kahiko
• View All 2019 Kahiko Winners •
2019 ʻAuana
• View All 2019 ʻAuana Winners •
2018 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2018 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2018 Kahiko
• View All 2018 Kahiko Winners •
2018 ʻAuana
• View All 2018 ʻAuana Winners •
2017 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2017 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2017 Kahiko
• View All 2017 Kahiko Winners •
2017 ʻAuana
• View All 2017 ʻAuana Winners •
2016 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2016 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2016 Kahiko
• View All 2016 Kahiko Winners •
2016 ʻAuana
• View All 2016 ʻAuana Winners •
2015 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2015 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2015 Kahiko
• View All 2015 Kahiko Winners •
2015 ʻAuana
• View All 2015 ʻAuana Winners •
Production and Website Partners
Broadcast Producers
- Ponoi Productions LLC
Broadcaster
- Hawaii News Now - KFVE
Official Photographer
- Extreme Exposure
Website Design and Management
- Upspring
Website / Social Media
Content Support
Pacific Pro-Tech Services Corp.
Website Archival Images
- Bishop Museum