"Hula is the Language of the Heart. Therefore, the Heartbeat of the Hawaiian People." — Kalākaua Rex

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural event held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi each spring, featuring Hawaiian culture and a premier hula competition. 

The central purpose of the Festival is the perpetuation, preservation, and promotion of the art of hula and the Hawaiian culture.

The highlight of the festival is a world-renowned three-day hula competition featuring some of the best hālau hula (hula school) from Hawaiʻi and the continental United States.

The messages conveyed in our chants, songs, and dances tell of our relationship with nature — the animals, plants, elements, land, sea, and active volcanoes.

Visit their website to learn more about the Merrie Monarch Festival, its history, and importance.