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Members of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, of Kapahulu, dance to

Eselu, Ching halau win overall honors (Apr 20, 2009)

The members of O'Brian Eselu's Ke Kai O Kahiki hula halau escorted their kumu to the stage over and over again, as did the dancers of Sonny Ching's Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, as each kumu received multiple awards for the 46th annual Merrie Monarch Festival.

Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu captured the top women's prize last night. Here, they dance to

Tradition rules Merrie Monarch (Apr 19, 2009)

The Hilo wind picks up in the dark parking lot of Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium, scattering memories and maile leaves. Trophies for the winners, the thrill of dancing on the coveted stage for the halau members and the joy of watching for thousands in the audience � the 2009 Merrie Monarch hula festival has come to a close, but not without honor for some of Hawai'i's finest kumu hula and their dancers.

Merrie Monarch Results (Apr 19, 2009)
Here are the results from the 46th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

Members of Halau Ke'alaokamaile, of Wailuku, Maui, dance to

Victory honors name, teachers (Apr 18, 2009)

The 2009 Miss Aloha Hula, Cherissa Henoheanapuaikawaokele Kane, was gifted with a Hawaiian name passed down through six generations. It has Moloka'i roots, and her mother also carries it.

Kane's 'auana hula sealed the deal for her with the judges.

'Hulaholics' take over Hilo festival (Apr 17, 2009)

There are new names on the list of judges, and some first-time hula halau are appearing on stage, but one thing remains the same: the energy of "hulaholics" gathered at the Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium for the 46th Merrie Monarch Festival.

Students from Ka Umeke Kaeo Hawaiian immersion charter school of Keaukaha are attending events at the Merrie Monarch Festival to see how other native practitioners are perpetuating Hawaiian culture.

Hawaiian immersion school kids making the most of Merrie Monarch week (Apr 17, 2009)

The Merrie Monarch Festival, always a colorful and fascinating cultural event, is serving as a living classroom this week to a group of sixth- and seventh-graders from a Big Island Hawaiian immersion school.

Kelsie Kikuchi of Pauoa picked out treats at Big Island Candies in Hilo yesterday afternoon. Kikuchi, 18, is a dancer with Halau Hula Olana.

Hawaii's tough economy may affect Merrie Monarch business (Apr 16, 2009)

A smattering of rooms for this weekend remained available at Hilo's two largest hotels as of late yesterday, the first time that's happened during Merrie Monarch Festival week in recent memory.

Barbara Amina, left, and Momi Bell, both of Hilo, performed with Ke ola Pono No Na Kupuna at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort this afternoon as part of a week-long series of events celebrating the Merrie Monarch Festival.

Big Island kupuna show Merrie Monarch spirit in hotel performance (Apr 16, 2009)

The spirit of the Merrie Monarch Festival is everywhere in this quiet little town this week. Today, one of its most endearing embodiments was found at the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort.

Maria Ka'iulani Kanehailua, 22, of Kailua, front left, rehearses with other dancers of Ka La 'Onohi Mai O Ha'eha'e in Kalihi. This is the first year that the halau, led by Tracie and Keawe Lopes, will participate in the Merrie Monarch Festival.

A young halau refines the hula (Apr 12, 2009)

Like most who are competing in the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition this week, the dancers of Ka La 'Onohi Mai O Ha'eha'e rehearse in a space a fraction of the size of the stage at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo, where the annual event takes place before a sold-out house, TV cameras, Internet hookups and the eyes of every true hula lover on the planet.

Reichel halau joins 21 other schools at fest (Apr 12, 2009)
Grammy-nominated singer, chanter and kumu hula Keali'i Reichel's Halau Kealaokamaile will make its first competitive appearance at the 2009 Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition, joining 21 other hula schools from around the Islands and on the Mainland.

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