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
Festival’s first mo‘i wahine returns for encore
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Mar 31, 2013 12:05amBy COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Fifty years ago, she was selected to preside as mo‘i wahine, or queen, over the very first Merrie Monarch Festival. Since then, her hand...
Hula’s golden anniversary
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Mar 31, 2013 12:05amBy PETER SUR
Special to the Tribune-Herald
Cannons boomed over the summit of Punchbowl crater on the island of Oahu one night in November 1886. Huge bonfires lit up the sky, and...
Facial hair fit for a king
Merrie Monarch Comments Updated: Apr 01, 2013 2:45pmBy PETER SUR
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Any contestant hoping to win a share of the Merrie Monarch Festival’s King Kalakaua beard look-a-like competition will have to get past Adam...