Merrie Monarch Festival will be held this summer

The Merrie Monarch hula competition draws schools from all over the islands.

After being canceled last year because of the coronavirus, the Merrie Monarch Festival has developed safety guidelines and virtual format so that the hula competition can be held this summer.

The ultimate hula competition has been held annuallly since 1964, except for 2020. Hula schools and individual dancers from all over the islands compete in the festival meant to preserve the Native Hawaiian culture.

“The health and wellbeing of all hālau participants and the community overall was our top priority then and continues to be now as we move forward with holding the event this year,” said Kawelu who worked with health professionals and a team of advisors to develop safety guidelines modeled after those used by professional sports teams and associations over the past year. 

“We are grateful to our partners, including representatives from The Queen’s Health Systems, that are lending their time, expertise and resources to help us set up and implement this comprehensive safety plan,” Kawelu continued.

The 2019 Miss Aloha Kahiko title was won by Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani.

All hālau participants, festival staff, as well as the television production crew have agreed to follow the guidelines that include undergoing multiple COVID testings, a 5-day isolation period prior to entering the competition venue for the first time, and daily screenings to continually monitor participants for symptoms. 

Kumu Hula Keʻano Kaʻupu of Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua shared that, “it was a lot to consider given that competition preparation is intense in and of itself. But hula isn’t just an activity we do, it is our way of life and we really wanted to be back in this Merrie Monarch space and community.” 

Fellow Kumu, Lono Padilla, added that “the level of detail and analysis that went into the guidelines and protocols reassured us that this was something we could do safely.”

County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Mitch Roth affirmed the County’s support of the festival saying, “as a dedicated and crucial partner, the County of Hawai‘i continues to work closely with Merrie Monarch Festival President Luana Kawelu, and the Organizing Committee.” Roth specifically acknowledged the plan saying, “I have received, read and approved the comprehensive and robust outline of the extensive protocols and actions.” 

Men dancers compete in the Merrie Monarch Festival.

As announced in November 2020, there will be no live audience but there will be a three-night television broadcast of the competition on Hawaiʻi News Now’s KFVE. 

Performances will take place and be judged in Hilo at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium on June 24, 25, and 26 and then be broadcasted on KFVE the following week on July 1, 2 and 3 at which time the winners will be announced. 

There are a total of 15 hālau participating (listed below) that will present 11 Wahine and eight Kāne performances in both the Kahiko and ʻAuana categories as well as seven Miss Aloha Hula entrants.

Following is a list of the participating Hālau:
-Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua
-Hālau Hula ‘O Nāpunaheleonāpua
-Hālau Hula Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa
-Hālau Hula Olana
-Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
-Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala
-Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea
-Hālau Kala‘akeakauikawēkiu
Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi
-Hālau Keolakapuokalani
-Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua
-Ka Lā ‘Ōnohi Mai O Ha‘eha‘e
-Kawai‘ulaokalā
-Kawaili‘ulā
-Ke Kai O Kahiki