Skip to content
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SGP2I66CCRBELC3FRC654JKAXQ.jpg)
Tickets are $5 each cash only, with a maximum of two for each buyer
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VQ7TXJ4NRNFJ3IWIPPVEFADELE.JPG)
The list of judges and participants has been announced.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CO77NURDTREIDP6H5NQNQHDPCM.JPG)
As Merrie Monarch prepares to shake off all pandemic restrictions, Festival President Luana Kawelu is filled with gratitude.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/A4FMXPVK65GYZF5VXMTR74QAL4.JPG)
Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1 ― old school style.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-27-2022/t_24c18ac5ff1e43e4a8f38d0c82da0315_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
We spoke with Kumu Hula Leina'ala Pavao Jardin and her 'olapa minutes after their historic win at Merrie Monarch 2022.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-27-2022/t_2bf1b2164f4646b1aabe4d2c6bad36a9_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Merrie Monarch Extra: Kumu Hula and local fashion designer Micah Kamohoali'i joins us to talk Kahiko
Kumu Micah Kamohoali'i shares how he trains his 'olapa in the art of Kahiko. He also explained where he draws inspiration from for his successful fashion line.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-27-2022/t_d8851ce076264ea5b977b0a617a55ec4_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Kumu Hula Leina'ala Pavao Jardin shared mana'o on their mele and their journey to Merrie Monarch over the years.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-27-2022/t_36d8123e560e4fe6857518c790aa5b2d_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
This year, Ho'ike night was the only night at the stadium open for the public to attend. Tickets went fast, and these people were lucky enough to score some.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-25-2022/t_4fee8e6e84b6436c8bad2395e27560e8_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
In a special episode of "Hula is Life," Talk Story's McKenna Maduli takes a look at the art of haku mele. Sheʻs joined by Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Robi Kahakalau and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KNV5AVRIGREI7OFPBII2KZ2PIY.jpg)
“It was all about gratitude this year, it was all about Ke Akua, all about love.”
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-25-2022/t_e4032cc3a88043788b0dd24aa41e4947_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
The wahine of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina’ala made history this weekend, bringing home to Kauai the coveted Merrie Monarch Lokalia Montgomery Overall Award for the first time.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KE6TBQDEONBC5MKMXASDHILCLY.jpg)
The 2022 competition kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Miss Aloha Hula contest at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/275JP7IFIJGJLDZ7P7W43EUOTU.jpg)
The final night of competition Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula ‘auana, or contemporary hula.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YUH4XPFTV5HE7PRQQU6DLTGCA4.JPG)
Twenty-four halau took the stage at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/272ISYAJJBBTVNTWWQYUQ63PXU.JPG)
The final night of competition Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula ‘auana, or contemporary hula.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FXSUI3OMBNGU5K6PTQOVLB3VE4.png)
"Itʻs just nice to feel people again, and to see the smiles on everybody. We love it.”
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_1433f86f10d444b2b95e2cea4c0fa2da_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
For the first time in two years, the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade made a grand return to the streets of Hilo on Saturday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JG7ZWCDRVRDNRIOMG5ZOMJUYBA.JPG)
For the first time in two years, the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade made a grand return to the streets of Hilo on Saturday.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_5597e47037df4a05a8dad5aaf7f4afa0_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
“Nā Kuahiwi Kaulana” is a composition of the famed Kohala native and falsetto poet Bill Ali‘iloa Lincoln. The mele celebrates the extent of Lincolnʻs home – from the heights of Mauna Kea, Kaulana” with Bell Records [LKS 245] in 1947.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_d5fa867798144de1952a354c32e60159_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Written by Hula Master Johnny Lum Ho, this mele takes us on a bus ride around the island of Moloka‘i. It was composed for dear friend, Kumu Hula Moana Dudoit, who shows us the beauty of Moloka‘i from the seats of her bus as it travels up and down the roads of Mana‘e and Hālawa. Hold on to your seats and get ready because da bus coming!
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_d69fded44a5e40029b26593434df2038_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
In September 2007, Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong composed this mele as a rallying call to unite. “Be honored always, oh beloved descendants of the land. The new dawn for our people of Hawai‘i is upon us...” The men dance to pay tribute to the kūpuna and the descendants of this land.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_6952bcedfc5a468f929ee17c1617a956_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Kumu Paredes wrote this composition for ‘Ele‘io, the messenger of Chief Kaka‘alaneo, whose court was at Keka‘a on West Maui. At the request of his chief, who was ‘ono for ‘awa from Waiohue, ‘Ele‘io runs to the Ko‘olau side of the island. He encounters the beautiful, mysterious Kanikani‘ā‘ula, and is unable to complete his task.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_ea327e9b6ae54f88a3d8b98311927eec_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
This is a mele lovingly composed by Kumu Paredes for his Tūtū wahine, Mary Kaleleiki Lee. Affectionately known to her ‘ohana as Mele, she was born in Maunawili Valley, O‘ahu. She was raised there by her maternal grandfather, Samuel Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi Kaleleiki. Tūtū Mele shared many stories of her childhood growing up in Maunawili.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_4570bb24092747beafe9cc8af09caf38_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Initially intended for a single beloved blossom, through almost four decades, this mele aloha has transformed into the needle and thread that fashion a cherished lei of three generations of wāhine hula in Uncle Glenn Kelena Vasconcellosʻ ‘ohana. This mele aloha evokes Kelenaʻs affection and admiration for those who are precious to him.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_739207c480614914b302080645c9c127_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
“Kukunaokalā” is credited to Rosalie Flores, who was a renowned soloist and member of the Royal Hawaiian Glee Club, and to co-composer Johnny Noble. The sentiments venerate natural elements and celebrate the sunshine, rainbow, clouds and ocean as the distinctive apparel of our island home.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_e57dc3e0d2ac42dd8446db0c2b86cd84_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Late composer and pianist Momi Jones describes Kui (Kukui) Tree Dam located in the mountains above Lake Wilson in Wahiawā, O‘ahu. Here, kukui trees stand guard and “voices of birds are heard; sending sweet calls in the early morning.” It is at Kukui Tree Dam that the composer was courted by her husband.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_cb907f1c5dd242a98880aea29e5c95b0_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Pua kenikeni is a fragrant flower that is celebrated by the people of Kāne‘ohe. When the flower ages it changes from white to a deep golden color. “My lei of puakenikeni” you are “the one (that) I desire constantly.” Penned by Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, this mele is about a cherished pua kenikeni lei that is held in the heart.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_76702714e72e49b28aafd497e919ccbc_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
“Hawai‘iʻs Songbird,” Lena Machado, was a huge fan of Latin music, its rhythms and instrumentation. She wanted to “celebrate the way that two different cultures could respect and enjoy each other.” In 1937, she wrote the original version of “E Ku‘u Baby Hot Cha-Cha,” a song with a Latin feel but utilizing her typicallly Hawaiian poetic technique.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_d54860199f9f4b47a61e4d47f403a6ad_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Ka Wahine Pele is honored in this mele composed by Eric Lee and Louis “Moon” Kauakahi. The natrual elements at the Crater and at the summit acknowledge two goddesses, Pele at Kīlauea and Poliahu at Mauna Kea. Though opposite and intense in personal characteristics, both are present today.
/do0bihdskp9dy.cloudfront.net/04-24-2022/t_16852a8e0dfc4ec3b12579af8078448d_name_file_1280x720_2000_v3_1_.jpg)
Like the glistening olivine crystals embedded on Diamond Head, the stars form a lei to adorn Waikīkīʻs famous landmark. Composer Mary Pūla‘a Robins writes not only of her lei of stars but also of a lei with a single blossom and a yellow feather lei that is highly esteemed. Her words are affectionately written and hint at a romantic pairing.