Tonight, in a “normal” year, would have been the Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula kahiko night of competition.  The Merrie Monarch Festival, which began in 1963, honors the legacy of King David Kalakaua, who inspired the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian traditions, language, and arts.   The competition includes the Thursday night Miss Aloha Hula, the Friday night hula kahiko (sometimes called ancient hula) and the Saturday night hula ‘auana (sometimes called modern hula), culminating in the Saturday night awards ceremony.  The Merrie Monarch Festival is one of the Big Island’s biggest economic drivers, as well as a beloved island competition that is considered the foremost hula competition in the world.  Because of COVID-19, Executive Director Luana Kawelu cancelled the event, in a heartbreaking but correct decision.

Included here is a video produced by the Merrie Monarch Festival with highlights of all three nights.