Merrie Monarch, the granddaddy of hula competitions, is slated for this week. Although the actual dancing isn’t until later in the week, a myriad other events are on the schedule in and around Hilo:

Monday – Saturday

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Hawaiian Quilt Show at Wailoa Center

Wednesday-Saturday – 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair

Monday, April 13

Noon – Halau O Kawananakoa, kumu Alberta Nicolas, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

1 p.m. – Halau Hula O Hilo Hanakahi, kumu Pua Crumb, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Tuesday, April 14

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Hawaiian entertainment, Imiloa Astronomy Center

Noon – Unukupukupu, kumu Taupori Tangaro, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

1 p.m. – Halau Kou Lima Nani E, kumu Iwalani Kalima, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Wednesday, April 15

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Hawaiian entertainment, Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m. – Halau Kealii O Nalani, kumu Keali‘i Ceballos, Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon – Free Church of Tonga, Katoa, Fukofuka & Polota, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

1 p.m. – Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha, Stan Kaina, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m.  – Merrie Monarch Hoike, Edith Kanakaole Stadium

6 p.m. – Entrance of Royal Court

6:15 p.m. – National Anthem and Hawaii Ponoi by Karena Asejo

6:25 p.m. – Pule by Father George De Costa

6:30 p.m. – Halau O Kekuhi, na kumu Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele and Nalani Kanakaole

7:30 p.m. – Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao, University of Hawaii at Hilo Samoan Club

8:30 p.m. – Nga Uri O Te Whanoa, Donna Mariana Grant

Thursday, April 16

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Hawaiian entertainment, Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m. – Unukupukupu, kumu Taupori Tangaro, Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon – Ke Ola Pono, kumu Rayce Bento, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

1 p.m. – Free church of Tonga, Sione Katoa, Sunia Fukofuka, Tevita Polota, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m. Miss Aloha Hula Competition, Edith Kanakaole Stadium

6 p.m. – Entrance of Royal Court

6:15 p.m. – National Anthem and Hawaii Ponoi by Karena Asejo

6:20 p.m. – Pule by Father George De Costa

6:25 p.m. – Introduction of judges

6:30 p.m. – Miss Aloha Hula Competition (broadcast live on KITV), followed by presentation of awards

Friday, April 17

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Hawaiian entertainment, Imiloa Astronomy Center

11 a.m. – Navy Greeting, Leo Nahenahe O Pohai Kealoha, kumu Stan Kaina, Hilo Pier 1

11 a.m. – Ke Ola Pono, kumu Rayce Bento, Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

Noon – Halau O Kawananakoa, Alberta Nicolas, Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

1 p.m. – Halau Haa Kea O Akala, kumu Paul Neves, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

6 p.m. – Group Hula Kahiko Competition, Edith Kanakaole Stadium

6 p.m. – Entrance of Royal Court

6:15 p.m. – National Anthem and Hawaii Ponoi by Karena Asejo

6:20 p.m. – Pule by Father George De Costa

6:25 p.m. – Introduction of judges

6:30 p.m. – Hula Kahiko Competition (broadcast live on KITV)

Saturday, April 18

10:30 a.m. – Royal Parade through downtown Hilo

Noon – Ke Ola Pono, kumu Rayce Bento, Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium

6 p.m. – Group Hula Auana Competition, Edith Kanakaole Stadium

6 p.m. – entrance of Royal Court

6:15 p.m. – National Anthem and Hawaii Ponoi by Karena Asejo

6:20 p.m. – Pule by Father George De Costa

6:25 p.m. – Introduction of judges

6:30 p.m. – Hula Auana Competition (broadcast live on KITV), followed by introduction of kumu hula and presentation of awards

— Find out more:

Merrie Monarch Festival: www.merriemonarchfestival.org