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Merrie Monarch Festival returns to Hilo

By Cindy Ellen Russell

April 20, 2022

Hawaii PhotosMerrie Monarch Festival

1/26
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Halau O Kekuhi under the direction of Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka'ole (Edith Kanaka'ole’s daughter pictured to the right) and Huihui Kanahele Mossman (Edith's granddaughter) opens the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo. The halau has opened the Ho‘ike since 1997 and was founded by Kumu Hula Edith Kanaka‘ole.
2/26
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The Lexington Ladies, who once performed in the Hawaiian Room in the Hotel Lexington in New York City, were honored guests at the opening Ho‘ike celebration at the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday.
3/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
4/26
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Halau O Kekuhi under the direction of Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole (Edith Kanaka‘ole’s daughter pictured to the right) and Huihui Kanahele Mossman (Edith's granddaughter) opens the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The halau has opened the Ho'ike since 1997 and was founded by Kumu Hula Edith Kanaka'ole.
5/26
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The Lexington Ladies, who once performed in the Hawaiian Room in the Hotel Lexington in New York City, were honored guests at the opening Ho‘ike celebration at the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. Pictured performing hula is Nona Wilson.
6/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
7/26
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Aunty Annie Kanahele, Peggy Kaohelaulii and Hi‘ipoi Kanahele pose with Ni‘ihau shell lei they make at their Ehulani Ohana Ni‘ihau Shell Leis booth at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair. The fair continues the rest of the week at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings in Hilo.
8/26
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Halau O Kekuhi under the direction of Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole and Huihui Kanahele Mossman opens the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The halau has opened the Ho'ike since 1997 and was founded by Kumu Hula Edith Kanaka‘ole. Nalani is Edith's daughter and Mossman is Edith's granddaughter.
9/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
10/26
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Ni‘ihau shell lei drape across displays at the Ehulani Ohana Ni‘ihau Shell Leis booth at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair.
11/26
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The Royal Court is introduced during the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. Pictured is Mo‘i Kane Troy David Keolanui and Mo‘i Wahine Ala‘moe Kahanu‘ola, both from Hilo, representing King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani respectively.
12/26
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Dancers from Halau O Kekuhi under the direction of Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole (Edith Kanaka‘ole’s daughter) and Huihui Kanahele Mossman (Edith's granddaughter) open the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo. The halau has opened the Ho‘ike since 1997 and was founded by Kumu Hula Edith Kanaka‘ole.
13/26
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Donna Lee Cockett holds two pearl pendants she made at her Kula Kala ‘O Kaua‘i booth inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. She has been vending at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair since 1992 and sells intricately woven silver and gold metal bracelets which incorporate her skills from 30 years as a lauhala weaver.
14/26
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The Royal Court is introduced during the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. Pictured is Mo‘i Kane Troy David Keolanui and Mo‘i Wahine Ala‘moe Kahanu‘ola, both from Hilo, representing King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi‘olani respectively.
15/26
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Donna Lee Cockett holds a woven bracelet of Tahitian and South Sea Golden pearls she made at her Kula Kala ‘O Kaua‘i booth inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
16/26
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Shoppers mill through a variety of vendor booths at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair. The fair continues the rest of the week at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings in Hilo.
17/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
18/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
19/26
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Shoppers mill through a variety of vendor booths at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair. The fair continues the rest of the week at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Butler Buildings in Hilo.
20/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
21/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The dance troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Auli‘i Kama.
22/26
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Donna Lee Cockett holds two pearl pendants she made at her Kula Kala ‘O Kaua‘i booth inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. She has been vending at the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair since 1992 and sells intricately woven silver and gold metal bracelets which incorporate her skills from 30 years as a lauhala weaver.
23/26
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The Tahitian dance troupe Heiva Nui performs at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The troupe from Kapolei is led by Kevin and ‘Aulii Kama.
24/26
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Halau O Kekuhi under the direction of Kumu Hula Nalani Kanaka‘ole (Edith Kanaka‘ole’s daughter) and Huihui Kanahele Mossman (granddaughter) opens the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday. The halau has opened the Ho‘ike since 1997 and was founded by Kumu Hula Edith Kanaka'ole.
25/26
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A crowd of one third of the capacity attended the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday.
26/26
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Tapori Sibayan donned a smiling mask at the opening Ho‘ike celebration for the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival on Wednesday.

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