53rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off

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The Ho’olaule’a of the 2016 Merrie Monarch Festival kicked off a week of events Sunday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

The Ho’olaule’a of the 2016 Merrie Monarch Festival kicked off a week of events Sunday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

The remaing events for the week are as follows:

TODAY

Noon: Ben Kaili and Band at Hilo Naniloa Hotel

1 p.m.: Halau Hula O Hilo Hanakahi, Pua Crumb at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

TUESDAY

Noon: Unukupukupu, Pele Kaio, Manaiakalani Kalua, Ryan McCormack and Dr. Taupouri Tangaro at Hilo Naniloa Hotel

1 p.m.: Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna, Haunani Medeiros at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

WEDNESDAY

9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Hawaiian lecture (morning) and performance (afternoon) at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m.: Ben Kaili and Band at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon: Halau Na Lei Hiwahiwa ‘O Ku‘ualoha, Sammye Ku‘ualoha Young at Hilo Naniloa Hotel

1 p.m.: Halau O Kawananakoa, Alberta Nicolas at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m.: Ho‘ike at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium

THURSDAY

9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Hawaiian performance (morning) and lecture (afternoon) at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m.: Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna, Haunani Medeiros at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon: Hula Halau O Kawananakoa, Alberta Nicolas at Hilo Naniloa Hotel

1 p.m.: Hula Halau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa, Meleana Manuel at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m.: Miss Aloha Hula competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium

FRIDAY

9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Hawaiian performance (morning and afternoon) at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m.: Halau Hula O Kou Lima Nani E, Iwalani Kalima at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon: Te Kapa Haka O Te Whanau A Apanui, Rikirangi Gage, Hone Wharepapa, Tamati Waaka and Puao Whauwhau at Hilo Naniloa Hotel

1 p.m.: Halau Ha‘a Kea ‘O Kinohi, Paul Neves at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m.: Group Hula Kahiko competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium

SATURDAY

9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

10:30 a.m.: Royal Parade in Downtown Hilo

Noon: Halau O Mailelaulani, Maile Canario at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

6 p.m.: Group Hula ‘Auana competition at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium