Merrie Monarch Hawaii is basically the Olympics of hula. This week-long prestigious hula competition occurs each year in Hilo, putting the Big Island town on the map and bringing in a crowd of competitors and spectators. If you ever get a chance, you should definitely attend the Merrie Monarch Festival!
A Merrie Event for 60 Years
The festival began in 1964, and its major purpose is the preservation of the art of hula and Hawaiian culture through education. Merrie Monarch Hawaii is considered the world’s premier forum for people of all ages to display their knowledge of the art of ancient and modern hula.
Hawaii’s Original Merrie Monarch
So who is this “Merry Monarch?” The festival honors King David Kalakaua, who was nicknamed the “Merrie Monarch” for his patronage of the arts. He even has a street named after him in Waikiki.
King Kalakaua is credited with restoring many Hawaiian cultural traditions during his reign, including the hula. Kalakaua almost single-handedly restored many of the nearly extinct cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people. These included legends and the hula, which had been forbidden due to the influence of missionaries for over 70 years.
Merrie Monarch Hawaii is inspired by King Kalakaua’s 50th birthday jubilee, which featured Hawaiian song, hula, and fanfare. That 1886 was the first public display of Hawaiian arts in many years.
Today’s Merrie Monarch Festival
Aside from being very entertaining, the Merrie Monarch Festival has maintained strict standards of authenticity, so the culture of the ancient Hawaiian people is being perpetuated. It is due to King Kalakaua himself that the hula will live on.
Merrie Monarch Hawaii typically occurs each spring, beginning on Easter Sunday. Local Hawaii stations broadcast the competition, and you can catch a lot of it online as well. Still, nothing compares to seeing the masterful hula in person.
Want to attend Merrie Monarch Hawaii yourself? Contact Hawaii Aloha Travel for help planning your Hilo vacation.
