All of the video used in this event is the exclusive property of the Merrie Monarch Festival and cannot be reproduced, downloaded, repurposed or used in any manner without express written consent of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival is filmed on location in Hilo, HAWAI‘I with the assistance of the Hawai‘i Production Tax Credit administered by the Hawai‘i Film Office and the Department of Taxation.
Hālau from across Hawaiʻi took to the stage at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium on Saturday night, performing hula ʻauana at the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival.
Hālau from across Hawaiʻi were back on the stage at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium on Friday night, performing hula kahiko at the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival.
After the 2020 competition was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, hula returns to the world’s biggest stage on July 1 — and there are more ways than ever to watch!
Here’s a full list of the dates and times to watch the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival and the rest of our jam-packed slate of programming, including the encore presentations of this yearʻs festival action.
In one of the closest Miss Aloha Hula competitions ever recorded at the Merrie Monarch Festival, a dancer from Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe won hulaʻs top individual award Thursday, edging out the first runner up by a single point.
The Merrie Monarch Festival made its long-awaited return Thursday night, when the Miss Aloha Hula competition was broadcast around the world on K5. Here are the performances youʻve been waiting for!
Weʻre celebrating Culture Week with cherished Merrie Monarch Moments and fresh manaʻo. Enjoy a decade of Hula ʻAuana performances from the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Former Miss Aloha Hula Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem joins McKenna virtually from her hale in California. Mika is celebrating her 10-year anniversary of being honored the title of Miss Aloha Hula in 2010. McKenna asks Mika to share some of her memories.
Hula truly is life for Kapua Dalire-Moe. This former Miss Aloha Hula and Kumu Hula comes from a long line of hula dancers and Kuma Hula. Her mother, Aloha Dalire was the very first Miss Aloha Hula in 1971. A title that Kapua was honored with in 1991...
McKenna gets a virtual visit from Da Kolohe Krew. Although you may know them as vibrant radio hosts, Mele Apana and Shannon Scott are lending their voices to encourage everyone to support local Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through Pop-Up Mākeke.
Amy Hānaialiʻi, known as Hawai’i’s top-selling female vocalist, pays a virtual visit to McKenna at the Talk Story Hale. McKenna introduces the celebrated singer as a name that is synonymous with the word hula. Amy’s beautiful voice and mele have been the inspiration and accompaniment to countless
Sharing ALOHA Around the World in a Global Event with Hawaiian Music and HULA. E Kanikapila Kakou Hula Hou featured Hawaiian artists and hula dancers from around the world, all coming together for one great concert.
Weʻre celebrating Culture Week with cherished Merrie Monarch Moments and fresh manaʻo. Enjoy a decade of Hula Kahiko performances from the Merrie Monarch Festival.
McKenna Maduli flies to Oakland, CA to pay a visit to her Kumu Hula Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu. A legend in his own right, Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu greets McKenna with a big hug, then playfully tells her she’s cut and closes the door.
Weʻre celebrating Culture Week with cherished Merrie Monarch Moments and fresh manaʻo. Enjoy a decade of Miss Aloha Hula performances from the Merrie Monarch Festival.
2019ʻs most awarded hālau from Merrie Monarch Festival and the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition is Hālau Hi'iakaināmakalehua. Led by Kumu Hula Robert Ke'anokealakahikikapoleikamaka'opua Ka'upu IV and Kumu Hula Kauhilonohonua Padilla...
McKenna visits Hālau Hi'iakaināmakalehua to Talk Story with two young dancers who took home big titles in 2019: Miss Keiki Hula Kaimana Joe Kaitoku Friez, and Master Keiki Hula Zyon Blaze ‘Auikekaiola Telles-Kuwahara.
Miss Aloha Hula 2019 Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani Talks Story with McKenna at her hālau in Oahu: Hālau Hi'iakaināmakalehua. McKenna asks her to take us back to that very special Thursday night that she was crowned Miss Aloha Hula.
It has been a big year for Hālau Hi'iakaināmakalehua in Oahu, Hawaii’s 2019ʻs most awarded hālau from Merrie Monarch Festival and the Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula led by Kumu Hula Robert Ke'anokealakahikikapoleikamaka'opua Ka'upu IV and Kumu Hula Kauhilonohonua Padilla.
On this special segment of Talk Story: Hula is Life, McKenna visits with kumu hula and Muti-Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning singer Nāpua Greig. McKenna flew to the Valley Isle to catch up with the upcountry Maui girl, who’s busy life resembles an intricate hula.
If you are a hula dancer you know who Kim Taylor Reece is. The renowned photographer is one of the first to capture the movement of hula kahiko. Talk story host McKenna Maduli was invited to visit the artist at his North Shore gallery for a very special photo shoot.
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