Merrie Monarch 2014

Merrie Monarch week in Hilo, Hawaii started on Easter Sunday with the Ho'olaule'a (music festival) held in Hilo's Civic Auditorium.  Presentations of dance and music were made by local hula haluas, Hawaii Community College, and local Charter schools.  The Ho'olaule'a is always a delight and we look forward to seeing the kupuna and keiki dance accompanied by great musicians every year.  This year hundreds of visitors from Japan filled the auditorium and participated with the local halaus.  Here are Videos of the Ho'olaule'a presentations on April 20. 

Easter Hula in Hilo Hawaii

Free music performances and hula demonstrations are held daily during the week at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and the Hawaii Naniloa Volcanoes Resort.  A Hawaiian Crafts fair takes place from Wednesday through Saturday in the Civic Auditorium.   ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center has events during the week, as well as the Prince Kuhio Plaza Mall which is hosting hula and music performances in their center court every afternoon.  This year a lei competition is taking place with the winners displayed at the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center.

The Ho’ike on Wednesday night is free for those willing to stand in line to get seats in the Edith Kanaka'ole stadium.  The Ho’ike has local halaus performing, with two groups from Japan, and a dance company from New Zealand.  

 

Edith Kanaka'ole stadium in Hilo

If you don’t have tickets for the main events, the Miss Aloha Hula competition, Thursday night, and the two group hula competitions, Friday and Saturday night, you can still watch live on K5 TV or over the internet.

On Saturday morning, a royal parade winds through downtown Hilo at 10:30 AM.  The last event of the week is Saturday evening, the group ‘Auana Hula.

Here is a Merrie Monarch performance and TV schedule.