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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