Merrie Monarch Festival

Merrie Monarch Festival
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Name	Merrie Monarch Festival
Location	Hilo, Hawaii
Years active	1963-present
Founder	Edith Kanakaʻole

Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture, traditional Hawaiian dance, and music of Hawaii, held annually in Hilo, Hawaii. The festival features performances by hula dancers and musicians from around the world, including Hawaii, United States, Japan, and Canada. It is considered one of the most prestigious hula competitions in the world, with participants competing in various categories, including Kahiko (traditional) and Auana (modern) styles, as seen in performances by Halau O Kekuhi and Beamer-Schultz. The festival is also a showcase for Hawaiian art, Hawaiian crafts, and Hawaiian food, with vendors selling traditional items such as lei, tapa cloth, and poi.

● Introduction

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a unique event that brings together people from all over the world to celebrate Hawaiian culture and hula. The festival is named after King Kalākaua, who was known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his love of music, dance, and festivities, as described in the works of Queen Liliuokalani and Ruth Benedict. The festival features a variety of events, including hula competitions, music of Hawaii performances, and Hawaiian crafts exhibitions, showcasing the talents of hula halau such as Halau I Ka Wekiu and Halau Hula O Na Pua O Hawaii. The festival is also a time for people to come together and learn about Hawaiian history and Hawaiian mythology, with lectures and workshops by experts such as Haunani-Kay Trask and John Papa Ii.

● History

The Merrie Monarch Festival was founded in 1963 by Edith Kanakaʻole, a renowned hula dancer and teacher, who was inspired by the Hawaiian Renaissance and the works of Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel Elbert. The first festival was held in Hilo, Hawaii and featured performances by local hula dancers and musicians, including Genoa Keawe and Darlene Ahuna. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity and now attracts participants and spectators from around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and United Kingdom. The festival has also been influenced by other cultural events, such as the Festival of Pacific Arts and the Hawaii Book and Music Festival, which feature performances by artists such as Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Don Ho.

● Competitions

The Merrie Monarch Festival features a variety of competitions, including hula dancing, singing, and instrumental music performances, with judges such as Kumu Hula Sylvia Puanani and Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehi Cazimero. The competitions are divided into different categories, including Kahiko (traditional) and Auana (modern) styles, as well as Hula Halau (group) and Hula Solo (individual) performances, with participants competing for awards such as the Miss Aloha Hula title. The festival also features a Hula Halau competition, where groups of dancers perform together, showcasing their skills and teamwork, as seen in performances by Halau O Na Alii and Halau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine.

● Festival Events

The Merrie Monarch Festival features a variety of events, including hula performances, music of Hawaii concerts, and Hawaiian crafts exhibitions, with vendors selling traditional items such as ukulele and kapa cloth. The festival also includes a Hawaiian food fair, where visitors can sample traditional dishes such as poi, laulau, and kalua pig, as well as modern fusion cuisine, as seen in the works of Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi. The festival also features a Hawaiian art exhibition, where local artists showcase their work, including kapa cloth and tapa cloth designs, as well as Hawaiian wood carvings and Hawaiian tattoos, with artists such as Dale Zarrella and Hokulani Holt.

● Impact and Legacy

The Merrie Monarch Festival has had a significant impact on the preservation and promotion of Hawaiian culture and hula, with many participants going on to become renowned hula dancers and teachers, such as Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Kumu Hula Blaine Kamalani. The festival has also helped to promote Hawaiian tourism, with many visitors attending the festival and learning about Hawaiian history and Hawaiian mythology, as described in the works of Gavan Daws and Ralph Kuykendall. The festival has also inspired other cultural events, such as the Hawaii Cultural Festival and the Pacific Islander Festival, which feature performances by artists such as The Brothers Cazimero and Amy Hanaialii.

● Organization

The Merrie Monarch Festival is organized by the Merrie Monarch Festival Committee, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Hawaiian culture and hula, with support from organizations such as the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The committee is composed of volunteers and professionals who work together to plan and execute the festival, with the help of sponsors such as Hawaiian Airlines and First Hawaiian Bank. The festival is also supported by local businesses and community groups, such as the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and the Hilo Community College, which provide resources and services to participants and spectators, including Kapiolani Community College and University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Category:Festivals in Hawaii