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
APRIL 9th-15th, 2023
2023 Merrie Monarch Festival Live Stream
Watch the 60th Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition on merriemonarch.com each night beginning at 6:00pm HST on April 13th, 14th, & 15th, 2023
MISS ALOHA HULA 2023
Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu: Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Festival 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.).
Award Recipients
2024 Miss Aloha Hula
• View All 2024 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2024 Kahiko
• View All 2024 Kahiko Winners •
2024 ʻAuana
• View All 2024 ʻAuana Winners •
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