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Over the last 60 years, hula has changed — greatly thanks to the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Running for the coveted title of Miss Aloha Hula is not for the faint of heart.
Brown was among 12 contestants vying for the prestigious title on Thursday night in Hilo.
The win was the culmination of stunning hula performances in the kahiko and ‘auana competitions.
Excited keiki and kupuna lined the roadways as families came out to watch the parade.
Get ready for the biggest hula competition on Earth!
Get ready for the biggest hula competition on Earth!
Friday marked the first day of group competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival as halau took the stage in Hilo for the Hula Kahiko competition.
23 halau will be participating Friday evening.
Twelve contestants participated in this year’s Miss Aloha Hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival.
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Twelve contestants participated in this year’s Miss Aloha Hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival.
“Most of the people that come back say my mother had or my grandmother had."
“It’s an art. It’s a love."
This year's Hoike night will pay homage to the festival's roots.
“It hasn’t even sunken in from what happened last year, I got to tell you."
Attendees say the night was all about a regal display of beauty and culture.
In the 1980s, the competition really took off drawing in sold out audiences to Hilo’s Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium.
“Hula is our life. It is part of Hawai’i and what we do."
Tickets are $5 each cash only, with a maximum of two for each buyer
The list of judges and participants has been announced.
As Merrie Monarch prepares to shake off all pandemic restrictions, Festival President Luana Kawelu is filled with gratitude.
Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1 ― old school style.
“It was all about gratitude this year, it was all about Ke Akua, all about love.”
The 2022 competition kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Miss Aloha Hula contest at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
The final night of competition Saturday at the Merrie Monarch Festival featured hula ‘auana, or contemporary hula.
Twenty-four halau took the stage at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium.
On Friday, 24 halau will take the stage to perform in the ancient style of hula.
After years of performing together, these ‘hula brothers’ are ready to take the Merrie Monarch stage
Although not everyone in the men’s line is related by blood, they all consider each other “hula brothers.”
The 2022 competition kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Miss Aloha Hula contest at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
Get ready for the biggest hula competition on Earth!
Ten contestants participated in this year’s Miss Aloha Hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival.
On Thursday night, the Miss Aloha Hula competition kicks off at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium.
After nearly 3 decades, Kumu Hula Shelsea Ai will be branching off from her family’s halau and entering her own group.
Hawaii News Now Sunrise is on the road this week for the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The 2022 competition kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Miss Aloha Hula contest at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.
As hula is celebrated globally, many kumu hula are banding together to protect the centuries-old practice.
Now that the craft fair is back after a two-year absence, she’s “excited and kind of nervous, too.”
The 59th Merrie Monarch Festival gets underway in Hilo this week!
“Merrie Monarch is coming. We’ve got to get ready."
With careful and deliberate steps, the kane or men of Kawailiula under kumu hula Chinky Mahoe are getting ready for competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.
It'll be happening from April 20 to the 23 in the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings.
The hula community is mourning the passing of Hawaii’s beloved Kumu Hula and Hilo icon Johnny Lum Ho.
He founded the award-winning Halau O Ka Ua Kanilehua.
Other honorees announced in her group include First lady Eleanor Roosevelt and pilot Bessie Coleman.
“This is Merrie Monarch. We’ve got to get tickets."
There will be no general ticket sales so tickets will be reserved for the halau and festival sponsors.
Nestled near the largest district on the island of Hawaii sits the small, tight-knit community of Volcano.
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.
An Oʻahu hālau under the direction of kumu hula Chinky Mahoe was named the overall winner of the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival on Saturday night.