The Perpetuation of Hula 
and the Hawaiian Culture
and the Hawaiian CultureArt of Hula:
Language
of the Heart
"Hula is the Language of the Heart. Therefore the Heartbeat of the Hawaiian People." — Kalākaua Rex
Welina Mai Kākou
Welcome, and thank you for sharing your aloha for hula and the Hawaiian culture.
• Learn about the Festival •
The Merrie Monarch Festival is a non-profit organization that honors the legacy of King David Kalākaua, who inspired the perpetuation of our traditions, native language and arts.
Our week-long festival features an internationally acclaimed hula competition, an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.
• Read more •
Merrie Monarch Festival 2026
The week-long Merrie Monarch Festival runs
APRIL 5th-11th, 2026
2026 Ticket Information
Mahalo nui for your interest in the 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival competition. We received requests from around the world, but can no longer accept new applications. We’re processing the thousands of requests received and will mail tickets or refunds beginning in late January or early February.
Me ke aloha,
Merrie Monarch Festival
2025 Participants
2025 Photo Gallery
Hō’ike | Miss Aloha Hula | Hula Kahiko | Hula ‘Auana | Royal Parade
MISS ALOHA HULA 2025
Hawaiian Language Award
Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala
Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin
OVERALL WINNER
1ST PLACE 2025
Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo
WAHINE KAHIKO 2025
Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
Nā Kumu Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo
1st Place Wahine Overall, 1st Place Overall, 2nd Place Wahine ʻAuana
KĀNE KAHIKO 2025
Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
Kumu Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero
1st Place Kāne Overall, 1st Place Kāne ʻAuana, 3rd Place Overall
WAHINE ʻAUANA 2025
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala
Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin
2st Place Overall, 2nd Wahine Overall, 1st Place Wahine ʻAuana, 2nd Place Wahine Kahiko
KĀNE ʻAUANA 2025
Nālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua
Kumu Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero
2nd Overall, 2nd Place Kane Overall, 2nd Place Kane Kahiko
2025 E Mālama Mau I Ka Hula Festival
Oct. 11th, 2025 – Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium – Hilo HI
Award Recipients
2025 Miss Aloha Hula
Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao— Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala Kumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao JardinMiss Aloha Hula 2025
Tiare-Jennings Iwalani KamaluoluokatuahineRebecca Kaʻaumoana Vaughan-Darval—Hālau Hula Ka Lehua TuahineKumu Hula Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval2nd Place
• View All 2025 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2025 Kahiko
Hula Hālau ‘O KamuelaNā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘oHula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Hālau Nā Kamalei O LīlīlehuaKumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani CazimeroHula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2025 Kahiko Winners •
2025 ʻAuana
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o LeināʻalaKumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao JardinHula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Nā Kamalei O LīlīlehuaKumu Hula Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani CazimeroHula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2025 ʻAuana Winners •
2024 Miss Aloha Hula
Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes
— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Miss Aloha Hula 2024
Amedée Kauakohemālamalama Conley-Kapoi
—Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes
2nd Place
• View All 2024 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2024 Kahiko
Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o
Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua
Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla
Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2024 Kahiko Winners •
2024 ʻAuana
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu
Nā Kumu Hula Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunu‘u “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2024 ʻAuana Winners •
2023 Miss Aloha Hula
Agnes Renee Leihiwahiwaikapolionāmakua Thronas Brown
— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Miss Aloha Hula 2023
Breeze Ann Kalehuaonālani Vidinha Pavao
—Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā‘ala
Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin
2nd Place
• View All 2023 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2023 Kahiko
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes
Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2023 Kahiko Winners •
2023 ʻAuana
Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua
Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua
Nā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2023 ʻAuana Winners •
2022 Miss Aloha Hula
Pi‘ikea Kekīhenelehuawewehiikekau‘ōnohi Lopes
— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe
Nā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes
Miss Aloha Hula 2022
Auliʻionāpualokekūonaona Jon-Marie Hisayo Faurot
— Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela
Kumu: Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o
2nd Place
• View All 2022 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2022 Kahiko
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā‘ala
Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin
Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes
Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2022 Kahiko Winners •
2022 ʻAuana
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leinā‘ala
Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi
Nā Kumu Hula Haunani & ‘Iliahi Paredes
Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2022 ʻAuana Winners •
2021 Miss Aloha Hula
Rosemary Kaʻimilei Kamoai-Strickland— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O HaʻehaʻeNā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe LopesMiss Aloha Hula 2021
Ashley Kilioulaninuiamamaohoʻopiʻiwahinekapualokeokalaniākea Lai— Ka Liko Pua O KalaniākeaKumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe2nd Place
• View All 2021 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2021 Kahiko
HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono PadillaHula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
KawailiʻulāKumu Hula Chinky MāhoeHula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2021 Kahiko Winners •
2021 ʻAuana
Hālau KekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahiNā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi ParedesHula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
KawailiʻulāKumu Hula Chinky MāhoeHula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2021 ʻAuana Winners •
2019 Miss Aloha Hula
Taizha Keakealani Hughes-Kaluhiokalani— Hālau HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla Miss Aloha Hula 2019
Lindsey Kahiehielaunaʻole Miwa Ching— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O HaʻehaʻeNā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes 2nd Place
• View All 2019 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2019 Kahiko
Hula Hālau ʻO KamuelaNā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani KamanaʻoHula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka LāKumu Hula Kaleo TrinidadHula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2019 Kahiko Winners •
2019 ʻAuana
Hālau KekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahiNā Kumu Hula Haunani & ʻIliahi ParedesHula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Hula ʻO KahikilaulaniKumu Hula Nāhōkūokalani GaspangHula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2019 ʻAuana Winners •
2018 Miss Aloha Hula
Shalia Kapuauʻionālani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani— Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O UkaKumu Hula Nāpua Greig Miss Aloha Hula 2018
Ecstasy Jetta Laverne Kamakalikolehua Ligon— Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O HaʻehaʻeNā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes 2nd Place
• View All 2018 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2018 Kahiko
Hālau HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono PadillaHula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka LāKumu Hula Kaleo TrinidadHula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2018 Kahiko Winners •
2018 ʻAuana
Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka O UkaKumu Hula Nāpua GreigHula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka LāKumu Hula Kaleo TrinidadHula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2018 ʻAuana Winners •
2017 Miss Aloha Hula
Kelina Kiyoko Keʻanoʻilehua Tiffany Eldredge— Hālau HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla Miss Aloha Hula 2017
Juleyn Machiko Kaloke Kaluna— Hula Hālau ʻO KamuelaNā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo 2nd Place
• View All 2017 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2017 Kahiko
Hālau HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
KawailiʻulāKumu Hula Chinky Māhoe Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2017 Kahiko Winners •
2017 ʻAuana
Ka Lā ʻŌnohi Mai O HaʻehaʻeNā Kumu Hula Tracie & Keawe Lopes Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau I Ka WēkiuNā Kumu Hula Karl Veto Baker & Michael Casupang Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2017 ʻAuana Winners •
2016 Miss Aloha Hula
Kayli Kaʻiulani Carr— Hālau HiʻiakaināmakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla Miss Aloha Hula 2016
Brylyn Noelani ʻAiwohi— Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o LeināʻalaKumu Hula Leināʻala Pavao Jardin 2nd Place
• View All 2016 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2016 Kahiko
Hālau O Ka Ua KanilehuaKumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Hālau Hula ʻO KahikilaulaniKumu Hula Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2016 Kahiko Winners •
2016 ʻAuana
Hālau O Ka Ua KanilehuaKumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Nā Mamo O PuʻuanahuluNā Kumu Hula William Kahakuleilehua Haunuʻu “Sonny” Ching & Lōpaka Igarta-De Vera Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2016 ʻAuana Winners •
2015 Miss Aloha Hula
Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap— Hula Hālau ʻO KamuelaNā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionalani Kamanaʻo Miss Aloha Hula 2015
Abby Claire Haliʻahauola Resulta— Hālau HiʻiakainamakalehuaNā Kumu Hula Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla 2nd Place
• View All 2015 Miss Aloha Hula Winners •
2015 Kahiko
Hula Hālau ʻO KamuelaNā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo Hula Kahiko Winner — Wahine
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka LāKumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad Hula Kahiko Winner — Kāne
• View All 2015 Kahiko Winners •
2015 ʻAuana
Hālau Hula Ka Lehua TuahineKumu Hula Kaʻilihiwa Vaughan-Darval Hula ʻAuana Winner — Wahine
Hālau Nā Kamalei O LīlīlehuaKumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero Hula ʻAuana Winner — Kāne
• View All 2015 ʻAuana Winners •
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