The 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival is upon us. The Merrie Monarch Festival is a non-profit organization that honors the legacy left by King David Kalākaua, who inspired the perpetuation of our traditions, native language and the arts. The weeklong festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition, a crafts fair, an art show, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.
The Merrie Monarch Festival is one of the biggest yearly events in Hawaii, as thousands and thousands of competitors and spectators gather on the Big Island for the world famous hula competition.
Below you will find the event list for the 2012 Merrie Monarch Festival, which runs from April 8th – 14th. Enjoy this weeklong event that captivates Hawaii and many other south pacific nations every year.
2012 Merrie Monarch Festival Event Schedule
Hoʻolauleʻa (celebration)
9:00 a.m., Sunday, April 8th at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. Free admission to watch performances by our local hālau.
Free Mid-day Entertainment
Daily (Monday through Friday) entertainment at the Hawaiʻi Naniloa Volcanoes Resort (12 p.m.), and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (1 p.m.).
Arts and Crafts Fair
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 11th through Friday, April 13th, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 14th, at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
An annual favorite, this free event features local artists and crafters.
Hōʻike Performances
6:00 pm, Wednesday, April 11th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. A free exhibition night of hula, international performers, and music.
Miss Aloha Hula
6:00 pm, Thursday, April 12th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Individual competition for the title of Miss Aloha Hula with contestants performing hula kahiko, hula ʻauana and oli (chanting).
Group Hula Kahiko
6:00 pm, Friday, April 13th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Hālau hula perform ancient style dances.
Group Hula ʻAuana & Awards
6:00 pm, Saturday, April 14th at the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Hālau hula perform modern style dances with an awards presentation for all group winners.
Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
10:30 am, Saturday, April 14th. One of the festival’s most entertaining and fun events for the entire family, the parade begins and ends at Pauahi St. and winds through downtown Hilo (Kilauea Ave. – Keawe St. – Waiānuenue Ave. – Kamehameha Ave.).
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