With COVID-19 responsible for the cancellation of the island’s most moving, beloved, and memorable events, the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, it’s a good time to look back and remember Merrie Monarch 2019.   Thursday night, tonight, would have been Miss Aloha Hula night, with solo participants from many halau competing in both hilo kahilo and hilo ‘auana.

The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival began in 1963, and is a week-long cultural event held in Hilo each spring, featuring Hawaiian culture and a premier hula competition.  It starts on Easter Sunday and extends through the week.

The 2019 Miss Aloha Hula was Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani  of Halau Hiʻiakainamakalehua.  Her kumu were Lono Padilla and Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV. Tonight, if things were normal, she would be performing her final hula as Miss Aloha Hula 2019. Her performances one year ago  were stunning.

 

Her kahiko performance was not only stunning, but she won the award for Hawaiian language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjcqgv3AoLk&list=RDCjcqgv3AoLk&start_radio=1&t=384

Here is Miss Aloha Hula’s ‘auana performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjqtQ6G7sCc&list=RDCjcqgv3AoLk&index=2