Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 4, 1 April 2018 — 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival [ARTICLE]

55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival

April 1-7 Memie Monarch week on Hawai'i Island is filled with hula, artists and crafters, entertainment and cultural activities. The premier eompetitions - Miss Aloha Hula, kahiko and 'auana - will be broadcast on KFVE.

> HO'OLAULE'A* April 1. 9 a.m. Free performances by loeal hālau. > INVITATIONAL HAWAIIAN ARTS FAIR* April 4-6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free arts market featuring loeal artists, crafters and entertainment. > HŌ'IKE PERFORMANCES** April 4, 6 p.m. No tickets are required to this exhibition night featuring hula and folk dance from around the Paeihe. > MISS ALOHA HULA** April 5, 6 p.m. Individual contestants for Miss Aloha Hula perform hula kahiko, hula 'auana and oli. One contestant will also win the Office of Hawaiian Affairs 'Ōlelo Hawai'i Award for Hawaiian language skills.

> GROUP HULA KAHIKO** April 6, 6 p.m. Hālau hula perform ancient style dances. > MERRIE MONARCH ROYAL PARADE April 7, 10:30 a.m. One of the most entertaining events for the family, the parade through downtown Hilo begins and ends at Pauahi Street. > GROUP HULA 'AUANA AND AWARDS** April 7, 6 p.m. Hālau hula perform modern style dances, followed by an awards presentation for all group winners. * Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium ** Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium Free mid-day entertainment Monday through Friday: noon at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, and at 1 p.m. at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.