Merrie Monarch Festival
Aloha, and welcome to the Tribune-Herald's Merrie Monarch Festival site.This page - which will be updated daily with stories and photos - celebrates the 50th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
Founded by Hawaii County in 1964, and saved from oblivion by Dottie Thompson in 1968, the festival is a weeklong celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture. It's also the biggest event of the year in Hilo, attracting visitors from around the world.
The festival culminates in the prestigious three-day hula competition, when more than two dozen elite halau, or hula schools, take the stage and unveil what they hope will be winning performances.On Thursday night, 12 women will compete for the soloist title of Miss Aloha Hula. Friday is the group hula kahiko competition, and Saturday is the night of hula 'auana and the presentation of awards.Read the Tribune-Herald and check this site daily for the most complete Merrie Monarch coverage in the state.
To see our 50th Anniversary Merrie Monarch Preview Click here
Mahoe, de Silva, Dalire victorious at 50th Annual Merrie Monarch
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 07, 2013 6:22amBy JOHN BURNETT and TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writers
The 50th Anniversary Merrie Monarch Festival was a historic celebration, and the winning halau and kumu have all played...
Results of 50th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 07, 2013 4:26amOverall
First place: Kawaili‘ula of Kailua, O‘ahu; kumu hula Chinky Mahoe; 1,155 points
Second place: Halau Mohala ‘Ilima of Ka‘ohao, O‘ahu; kumu hula Mapuana de Silva; 1,152 points...
Parade marks festival’s 50th anniversary
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 07, 2013 12:05amBy COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Hilo parade-goers dodged a watery bullet on Saturday morning.
With only a half hour left until go-time, people lined the sidewalk...
Merrie Monarch hula kahiko celebrates tradition
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 06, 2013 4:57pmBy JOHN BURNETT and TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writers
Hula lovers were treated to dazzling displays of tradition, as well as dances stretching boundaries during Friday night’s...
Maui wahine wins Miss Aloha Hula competition
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 05, 2013 8:53amBy JOHN BURNETT and TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writers
A belated birthday present turned out to be the best one of all.
Manalani Mili Hokoana English turned 24 on Tuesday....
50th anniversary Ho‘ike a hit
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 04, 2013 1:38amBy JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
A packed house at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multipurpose Stadium was treated to the living history of the Merrie Monarch Festival at Wednesday night’...
Arts, crafts, aloha
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 04, 2013 12:05amBy COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Hawaii’s unique brand of capitalism tinged with aloha is alive and well, and it has taken up residence in the Afook-Chinen Civic...
Kingly beards abound in contest
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 02, 2013 12:05amBy COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
The competition was wild and wooly Monday night under the roof of the Mo‘oheau Bandstand in Hilo.
Call it a face-off — or, more...
Festival to stage renactment of Kalakau coronation
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Mar 31, 2013 12:05amBy PETER SUR
Special to the Tribune-Herald
The Merrie Monarch Festival is returning to its roots in the Hilo Armory where, in 1964, mo‘i kane Spencer Kalani Schutte crowned himself and...