Merrie Monarch Festival

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural celebration held each spring in Hilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Established in 1963 to boost tourism and preserve Hawaiian traditions, the festival honors King David Kalākaua, known as the “Merrie Monarch” for his patronage of the arts. It is best known for its prestigious hula competition, where hālau (hula schools) from across Hawaiʻi and beyond compete in both ancient (kahiko) and modern (ʻauana) styles. Beyond the competition, the festival features a vibrant parade, craft fairs, music, and cultural demonstrations that celebrate Native Hawaiian language, arts, and heritage. Today, Merrie Monarch is considered the world’s most significant hula event and a powerful expression of Hawaiian identity and pride.