What Happens at the Merrie Monarch Festival?
Heard of the Merrie Monarch Festival and wondering what it is?
I lived on the Big Island for a year and was able to attend some of the Merrie Monarch celebrations!
The Merrie Monarch Festival is an annual celebration of Hawaiian culture and dance held in the town of Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii. It is one of the most prestigious hula events in the world and has been celebrated for over five decades.
Every year during the weeklong event, hundreds of dancers from across Hawaii come together to compete in a range of traditional hula styles. Along with the competition, there is a craft fair and flamboyant parade that celebrates the rich history and vibrant traditions of Hawaii’s people.
What is the Merrie Monarch Festival?
The festival is a celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture and features a week-long series of events, including world-renowned hula competitions, a craft fair, and an extravagant parade.
The first four days include non-competitive hula performances at various venues around Hilo, like in hotel lobbies.
Wednesday night has the popular non-competitive Ho’ike Night. It often features international performers from other Pacific islands and Japan, as well as native or indigenous dancers from locations such as Alaska and New Zealand.
Thursday night is the competition for Miss Aloha Hula, the highest honor for solo women’s hula. Unmarried ladies 18-25 years old have 7 minutes to not only perform both modern (hula ʻauana) and traditional (hula kahiko) forms of hula, but a chant (oli) as well.
Friday night the wahine (women) and kāne (men) group divisions perform hula kahiko, a traditional style of hula.
Saturday afternoon is the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade through Hilo town, with elaborate floats, hula competitors, and live performances.
Saturday night the wahine and kāne groups perform hula ʻauana, a more contemporary style of hula. Afterwards, the awards ceremony is presented and the festival is concluded.
The craft fair is open Wednesday-Saturday and features local artisans selling their handmade goods.
Where is the Merrie Monarch Festival Held?
The Merrie Monarch is an annual hula competition and festival held in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, United States.
It is held at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo, which can hold almost 6,000 people.
The craft fair is held behind the stadium in the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
What Time is the Merrie Monarch 2023?
The Merrie Monarch Festival always takes place starting Easter Sunday and lasting all week.
This year it is happening Sun, Apr 9 – Sat, Apr 15, 2023
Hōʻike Performances
Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 – 6:00 pm,
Miss Aloha Hula
Thursday, April 13th, 2023 – 6:00pm
Hula Kahiko
Friday, April 14th, 2023 – 6:00pm
Hula ʻAuana & Awards
Saturday, April 15th, 2023 6:00pm
Follow the official Facebook page for the Merrie Monarch Festival to know where non-competitive hula groups are performing.
Merrie Monarch 2023 Tickets
Getting your hands on Merrie Monarch Festival tickets to watch the hula competitions can be competitive and tricky.
This year, you have to order your competition tickets via snail mail. Print out the order form, fill it out, stick it in an envelope, and pray you get in.
Each person is only allowed to purchase a maximum of 2 tickets. They must be paid either by money order or cashier’s checks only; no personal checks.
Depending on which performance(s) you want to attend, ticket prices range from $10-$55 per person.
Tickets for the non-competition Ho’ike Night on Wednesday can only be bought in person at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium box office, starting Februrary 26th. Price is $5 per person, cash only.
People line up the night before to purchase these tickets; if you are from out of state, you are out of luck as they have sold out in as fast as 3hrs.
Merrie Monarch Festival Hula Competition
The Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition is one of the most prestigious and competitive hula events in the world. It attracts some of the best hula dancers and groups from all the Hawaii islands and around the world.
Dancers perform individually and in groups, with seven minutes allowed for each performance.
There are three main categories in the hula competition: Miss Aloha Hula, wahine (women) group, and kāne (men) group.
Each category has different requirements and rules, but all performances are judged on several criteria, including entrance, technique, interpretation, presentation, exit, and overall effect.
The wahine and kāne groups perform two styles: hula kahiko and hula ʻauana.
Hula kahiko is a traditional style of hula that incorporates chants, percussion instruments, and other traditional Hawaiian elements.
Hula ʻauana is a more contemporary style that often includes Western musical instruments and more modern themes.
Groups that compete in the hula competition can range in size from a few dancers to large groups with dozens of performers. Many of the groups that compete are hālau hula, which are traditional Hawaiian schools of hula that teach students the skills, techniques, and traditions of the dance form.
The hula competitions are televised locally, so you can still watch the performances even if you aren’t there in person.
Overall, the hula competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival is a showcase of the best hula dancers and groups in the world and is an important platform for preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture and traditions.
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
The Merrie Monarch Royal Parade is a colorful and lively event that marks the end of the week-long Merrie Monarch Festival. The parade takes place on Saturday at 10:30am and is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and traditions.
The parade features a variety of floats, marching bands, and performers, all decked out in bright and colorful costumes. You can expect to see dancers in traditional Hawaiian dress, musicians playing ukuleles and other traditional instruments, and even pa’u riders (women horseback riders who are elegantly dressed)!
One of the highlights of the parade is the presence of the Royal Court, which includes two people who represent King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani, along with their various attendants. The “court” is adorned in regal Hawaiian attire and carried through the streets on a beautifully decorated float.
You’ll also likely catch a glimpse of the Miss Aloha Hula winner.
The parade route winds through the streets of old downtown Hilo starting on Piopio Street, turning left on Pauahi St., then right on Kīlauea Ave., continuing onto Keawe St., turning right on Waianuenue Ave, right on Kamehameha Ave and finally ending at Bishop St.
If you were unable to score tickets to the hula competitions, the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade is the next best thing. It’s free and can be enjoyed by everybody.
You’ll notice some people will arrive early to set up their pickups and tents for tailgating beforehand but there’s plenty of room for everyone, so no need to get anxious to find a good seat along the sidewalks.
If you are visiting the Big Island during this time, I highly recommend attending. It’s a great way to experience the spirit of aloha and immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of Hawaii and I guarantee you won’t see another parade like it!
Merrie Monarch Arts and Craft Fair
The Merrie Monarch Arts and Craft Fair takes place Wednesday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium & Butler Buildings.
It features dozens of vendors selling a wide variety of handmade items, including clothing, jewelry, home decor, and other crafts. You can expect to find beautiful flower leis, intricately woven baskets, hand-carved wooden sculptures, and much more.
Many of the vendors at the craft fair are local artisans who specialize in traditional Hawaiian crafts and techniques. They often use natural materials, such as coconut husks, seashells, and woven fibers, to create unique and beautiful items that reflect the spirit of Hawaii.
There is also an array of food trucks ready to feed you fresh and delicious local cuisine.
In addition to shopping and eating, this is also where you will buy any official Merrie Monarch Festival branded apparel, posters, and programs.
The Merrie Monarch Arts and Craft Fair is held at the same location as the hula competition, which allows visitors to enjoy both events easily. With so many beautiful crafts to choose from, it’s a great place to find unique souvenirs and gifts to take home from your trip to Hawaii.
Merrie Monarch Festival FAQs
What is the History of the Merrie Monarch Festival?
The festival was started in 1964 by Helene Hale, the County of Hawaiʻi Chairwoman at the time, as a way to boost economic activity for Hawaiʻi Island, which was suffering from the recent tsunami destruction and also the decline of sugar plantations.
The festival is named after King David Kalākaua, who reigned from 1874-1891. He was known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his love of music, dance, and culture.
For the first few years the festival included events like a King Kalākaua beard look-alike contest, a recreation of his coronation, a barbershop quartet contest, a relay race, and a Holokū Ball (think Hawaiian dress fashion show).
By 1968, interest in the festival dwindled. But Dottie Thompson volunteered as Executive Director of the Festival and changed focus. She wanted to honor and revive the Hawaiian culture, which King Kalākaua had sought to do during his reign.
Under Thompson’s direction, the festival switched to feature the best hula dancers from across the Hawaiian islands, celebrating Hawaiian artistry, history, and people.
Today, the festival’s main focus is still the multi-day hula competition. However, other events include a Wednesday night hōʻike (non-competitive hula exhibition), a craft fair, and a parade through Hilo.
What is the Purpose of the Merrie Monarch Festival?
While the origination of the Merrie Monarch Festival was to restore the Big Island’s economy, today it serves more important purposes, including:
- Preservation and promotion of Hawaiian culture: The festival aims to preserve and promote Hawaiian culture, particularly the art of hula, which is a traditional Hawaiian dance form that tells stories through movement.
- Celebration of Hawaiian heritage: The festival celebrates the rich heritage of Hawaii and its people, including their music, dance, language, and traditions.
- Promotion of tourism: The festival attracts visitors from all over the state and around the world and helps promote tourism to Hawaii, which is an important industry for the state’s economy.
- Competition and recognition: The festival includes a prestigious hula competition that attracts the best hula dancers and groups from Hawaii. The competition provides a platform for these dancers to showcase their skills and receive recognition for their talent.
Overall, the Merrie Monarch Festival plays an important role in preserving and promoting Hawaiian culture and traditions, while also providing economic benefits to the state of Hawaii.
Visiting the Big Island in December?
➡️ Check Out these festive things to do for Christmas!
Epilogue: Merrie Monarch Festival
The Merrie Monarch Festival is an incredible event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii and showcases the talents of local artisans. From its vibrant hula competition to its colorful parade and craft fair, this week-long festival provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Hawaiian culture in all its forms.
Whether you’re looking for entertainment or education, there’s something for everyone at the Merrie Monarch Festival!
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
🚨 Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular. I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental, as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work on the Big Island?
PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?
For Big Island hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
