(AP) — Plans for the world’s most prestigious hula competition remain uncertain because of the pandemic. In normal times, thousands of people from around the world descend on Hilo on the Big Island for the Merrie Monarch Festival. Festival President Luana Kawelu tells Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald next year’s event is planned for April and will return to its usual schedule. But she says it’s all up in the air. This year’s festival was held in June in an almost empty stadium using music that was prerecorded in a Honolulu studio. Kawelu wants to start selling tickets but it’s not clear how many spectators are allowed inside.

© copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved