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Video by David Corrigan, Voice of Stephanie Salazar | Big Island Video News
The 48th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicked-off Sunday (April 24) with a Hoolaulea featuring music and hula at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
Wednesday night at Edith Kanakaole Multipurpose Stadium will feature the Hoike which is a free exhibit night of performers. Thursday night is the Miss Aloha Hula competition where individuals perform hula kahiko (ancient hula), hula auana (modern hula) along with oli (chanting). Friday the group Hula Kahiko competition showcases the ancient style of hula.
A grand parade will occur Saturday morning (April 30) through downtown Hilo starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday night features the group hula auana competition and announcement of winners.
The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival runs from April 24-30, 2011.
Hoolaulea (celebration)
9 a.m., Sunday, April 24 at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. Free admission to watch performances by our local halau.
Free Mid-day Entertainment
Daily (Monday through Friday) entertainment at the Hawaii Naniloa Volcanoes Resort (noon), and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.).
Arts and Crafts Fair
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, April 29, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 30th, at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
An annual favorite, this free event features local artists and crafters.
PIHA Native Hawaiian Art Exhibit
10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Sunday, April 24 through Saturday, April 30 at the Merrie Monarch Festival Office.
This new event showcases the work of native Hawaiian artists.
Hoike Performances
6 p.m., Wednesday, April 27 at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. A free exhibition night of hula, international performers, and music.
Miss Aloha Hula
6 p.m., Thursday, April 28 at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula auana and oli (chanting).
Group Hula Kahiko
6 p.m., Friday, April 29 at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. Halau hula perform ancient style dances.
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 30. The parade winds through downtown Hilo for one of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family.
Group Hula Auana & Awards
6 p.m., Saturday, April 30 at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. Halau hula perform modern style dances with an awards presentation for all group winners.
Competing Halau and Kumu Hula 2011
Hawaii Island
1. Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama (Wahine)
Emery Aceret, Hilo, Hawaii
2. Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani (Kane & Wahine)
Nahoku Gaspang, Hilo, Hawaii
3. Halau O Ke Anuenue (Wahine)
Glenn Kelena Vasconcellos, Hilo, Hawaii
Oahu Island
4. Halau Hula Olana (Wahine)
Olana and Howard Ai, Aiea, Hawaii
5. Halau I Ka Wekiu (Kane & Wahine)
Karl Veto Baker and Michael Casupang, Honolulu, Hawaii
6. Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua (Kane)
Snowbird Bento, Waianae, Hawaii
7. Halau O Ke Aalii Ku Makani (Wahine)
Manu Boyd, Honolulu, Hawaii
8. Ka Pa Hula O Kauanoe O Waahila (Wahine)
Maelia Carter, Honolulu, Hawaii
9. Halau Na Pua Kukui (Kane)
Ed Collier, Honolulu, Hawaii
10. Keolalaulani Halau Olapa O Laka (Wahine)
Aloha Dalire, Heeia and Kaneohe, Hawaii
11. Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea (Wahine)
Kapua Dalire-Moe, Kaneohe, Hawaii
12. Halau Hula O Hokulani (Wahine)
Hokulani De Rego, Waipahu, Hawaii
13. Halau Mohala Ilima (Wahine)
Mapuana de Silva, Kaohao, Hawaii
14. Ke Kai O Kahiki (Kane)
O’Brian Eselu, Aiea, Hawaii
15. Halau Ke Kiai A O Hula (Wahine)
Kapiolani Hao, Honolulu, Hawaii
16. Hula Halau O Kamuela (Wahine)
Kauionalani Kamanao and Kunewa Mook, Kalihi & Waimanalo, Hawaii
17. Ka La Onohi Mai O Haehae (Wahine)
Tracie and Keawe Lopes, Honolulu, Hawaii
18. Kawailiula (Kane)
Chinky Mahoe, Kailua, Hawaii
19. Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La (Kane & Wahine)
Kaleo Trinidad, Honolulu, Hawaii
Maui Island
20. Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka (Wahine)
Napua Makua and Kahulu Maluo-Huber, Pukalani, Hawaii
21. Halau Kealaokamaile (Wahine)
Kealii Reichel, Wailuku, Hawaii
Kauai Island
22. Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani (Wahine)
Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza, Hanapepe, Hawaii
Mainland
23. Halau Kealii O Nalani (Kane & Wahine)
Kealii Ceballos, Los Angeles, California
24. Na Kane O Na Pua Me Ke Aloha (Kane)
Sissy Kaio, Carson, California
For more information, visit: www.merriemonarch.com
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