An ancient art: Merrie Monarch group hula kahiko competition features 29 performances

The dances of Hawaii’s past were brought to life Friday night during the group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition during the 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.

The competition, which featured 29 performances — kane (men) and wahine (women) groups — of the 20 participating hula halau, concluded later than the Tribune-Herald’s print deadline.

On Thursday evening, Shalia Kapuau‘ionalani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani won Miss Aloha Hula 2018, hula’s most prestigious solo title. The 21-year-old, who has a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, dances for Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka of Maui under the direction of kumu hula Napua Greig.

The Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. today, rain or shine.

The clockwise parade route through downtown Hilo starts at Piopio Street with a left turn up Pauahi Street, a right onto Kilauea Avenue, where parade units will pass the judges’ reviewing stand atop Central Pacific Bank, a slight right onto Keawe Street, a right on Waianuenue Avenue, then concludes on Bishop Street next to the Kamehameha I statue.

The group hula ‘auana (modern hula) competition starts at 6 p.m. today at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. It will be followed by the awards ceremony, which will include kahiko, ‘auana and overall scores for kane and wahine. The overall champions will be awarded the coveted Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy.

The Tribune-Herald website at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com will list the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition winners after the awards ceremony early Sunday morning.

A wrap-up story on the 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition will appear in Monday’s edition of the Tribune-Herald.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.