and the Hawaiian CultureFestival Events
April 9–15, 2023
Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)
9:00 a.m., Sunday, April 9th
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 12th through Friday, April 14th
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 15th
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 12th
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Miss Aloha Hula
6:00 pm, Thursday, April 13th
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 14th
at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium
Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.
Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards
6:00 pm, Saturday, April 15th
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 15th
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.).
Watch the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition on merriemonarch.com each night beginning at 6:00pm HST on April 13th, 14th, & 15th, 2023
Broadcast Information
2023 Miss Aloha Hula Competition
April 13, 2023 | 6pm HST–12am HST on KFVE
Encore: Friday, April 14, 11am-5pm HST on HFVE
2023 Kahiko Competition
April 14, 2023 | 6pm HST–12am HST on KFVE
Encore: Saturday, April 15, 11am-5pm HST on KFVE
2023 ʻAuana Competition
April 15, 2023 | 6pm HST–1am HST on KFVE
Encore: Sunday: April 16, 10am-5pm HST on KFVE
KFVE
Channel 6 on Spectrum (Digital Channel 1006)
Hawaiian Telcom,
Direct TV
Channel 8 on Dish TV
This Year’s Participants
Sponsors and Partners
Festival Sponsors
. 
Production and Website Partners
Broadcast Producers
- Ponoʻī Productions LLC
Broadcaster
- Hawaii News Now – KFVE
Official Photographer
- Extreme Exposure
Website Design and Management
- Upspring
Website Content Support
- Pacific Pro-Tech Services Corp.
Website Archival Images
- Bishop Museum