The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural festival beginning with a Hoolaulea (music festival) at the Hilo Civic Center on April 12, 2009.  The week-long festival includes art exhibits, craft fairs, demonstrations, performances, a parade that emphasizes the cultures of Hawai’i, and a three-day hula competition.

Free noon-day entertainment can be found at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort.  The festival is considered the world’s premier forum for people of all ages to display their skills and knowledge of the art of ancient and modern hula.  In preparation of the Merrie Monarch Festival, hula studios and instructors in Hawai’i and on the U.S. Mainland hold classes, workshops, and seminars throughout the year to teach the art of hula, the meaning of Hawaiian chants and songs, the Hawaiian language, the making of Hawaiian clothing and crafts, and the history of the Hawaiian people.

All events are free except for the hula competitions.  On Wednesday, there is a free exhibition night at the Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium and on Thursday, the solo Miss Aloha Hula Competition takes place.  Friday and Saturday are the group Kahiko (ancient) and ‘Auana (modern) hula competitions.  The big Merrie Monach Royal Parade ends the festival through Hilo on Saturday morning.

This is an excellent opportunity to get a quick education on Hawai’i AND experience it.  Call me for details.