Merrie Monarch Festival

「メリーモナクフェスティバル」は、ハワイ島・ヒロで毎年春に開催されているフラダンスのフェスティバルです。いつか行ってみたいな・・。

It is held for 1 week from Easter every year.
However, It was canceled this year because of corona.

When the missionary came to Hawaii, they banned people dancing hula.
King Kalākaua revived dancing hula. The King was called as "Merrie Monarch”, it means a happy king. So this festival is called “Merrie Monarch Festival”.

Festival started in1963, as just recital at the first.
It became competition from 1971.

It is held for 4 days, from Wednesday to Saturday.
The first day isn’t competition. A lot of Hālau in all over the world perform. It is admission free in this day.

Thursday is the competition of Miss Aloha Hula.
Friday is that of group hula Kahiko, traditional hula.
Saturday is that of group hula Auoana, modern hula.

My English teacher told me why the festival held in Hilo.
Hilo was damaged by a strong earthquake and tsunami in 1960. This festival was started for recovery of the tourism industry.