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Ho‘ike showcases Pacific culture at the Merrie Monarch Festival

Wednesday night showecased Ho‘ike, an exhibition of hula and dance from around the Pacific, to kick off the Merrie Monarch Festival at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. The competition begins Thursday evening as dancers vie for the Miss Aloha Hula title. The group hula competition begins Friday.

By Robbyn Peck / Special to the Star-Advertiser

April 24, 2025

Hawaii Photos

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Taylor Kahaukapu Serikawa, Kumu Kapua Dalire-Moe, Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniākea. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kilinoe Kimura, Kumu Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento, Ka Pā Hula O Ka Lei Lehua. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Marina Laʻakea Choi, Kumu Robert Keano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla, Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin, Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Chloe Makanaleiliʻiliʻi Rei Cummins, Kumu Kunewa Mook & Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo, Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Makaʻala Kahikinaokalālani Victoria Perry, Kumu Laʻakea Perry, Ke Kai O Kahiki. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Emalia Pomaialoha KeleihanupīkakeiāPāʻoaehulaleʻaikalaninuiākea Dalire, Kumu Keolalaulani Dalire & Regina Mākaʻikaʻi Igarashi Pascua, Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Lakanā. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kahōkūliʻiliʻi Tanaka, Kumu Kealiʻi Ceballos, Hālau Kealiʻi O Nālani during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Keʻalohilani Na Kealohamoa Narelle Lee Yuk Lan Kama-Hosea, Kumu Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang, Hālau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Sierra Michelle Lulani Moniz, Kumu Keliʻihoʻomalu Puchalski, Kawai‘ulaokalā. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Tiare-Jennings Iwalani Kamaluoluokatuahine Rebecca Kaʻaumoana Vaughan-Darval, Kumu Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval, Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kasidee Nadine Kuʻuleialoha Teixeira, Kumu Theresa Kauhionāmauna Ramento Tehiva, Hālau Hula O Kauhionāmauna during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin, Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala winner of the title of Miss Aloha Hula during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Friday, April 25, 2025.
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Kasidee Nadine Kuʻuleialoha Teixeira, Kumu Theresa Kauhionāmauna Ramento Tehiva, Hālau Hula O Kauhionāmauna. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kilinoe Kimura, Kumu Snowbird Puananiopaoakalani Bento, Ka Pā Hula O Ka Lei Lehua. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Marina Laʻakea Choi, Kumu Robert Keano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla, Hālau Hi‘iakaināmakalehua. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Lexi Mae Kamakanaokalani Pruse, Kumu Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes, Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Makaʻala Kahikinaokalālani Victoria Perry, Kumu Laʻakea Perry, Ke Kai O Kahiki. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Emalia Pomaialoha KeleihanupīkakeiāPāʻoaehulaleʻaikalaninuiākea Dalire, Kumu Keolalaulani Dalire & Regina Mākaʻikaʻi Igarashi Pascua, Keolalaulani Hālau ‘Ōlapa O Lakanā. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kahōkūliʻiliʻi Tanaka, Kumu Kealiʻi Ceballos, Hālau Kealiʻi O Nālani. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Keʻalohilani Na Kealohamoa Narelle Lee Yuk Lan Kama-Hosea, Kumu Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang, Hālau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Kasidee Nadine Kuʻuleialoha Teixeira, Kumu Theresa Kauhionāmauna Ramento Tehiva, Hālau Hula O Kauhionāmauna. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Tiare-Jennings Iwalani Kamaluoluokatuahine Rebecca Kaʻaumoana Vaughan-Darval, Kumu Ka‘ilihiwa Vaughan-Darval, Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine. HERE during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Lexi Mae Kamakanaokalani Pruse, Kumu Haunani & ʻIliahi Paredes, Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi. during the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. The royal court made its way on stage.
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REUTERS

Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho‘ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Seen here: Royal Court Mo‘i Kane Christopher Michael Piliki Kua and Mo‘i Wahine Dawn Ka‘e‘eonalanikalaniumi Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder
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Maori dancers performed Wednesday night during Ho‘ike, an exhibition of hula and dance from around the Pacific, to kick off the Merrie Monarch Festival at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. The competition begins this evening as dancers vie for the Miss Aloha Hula title. The group hula competition begins Friday.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. This is Halau O Kekuhi.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Guest of Honor, Māori queen Nga Wai Hono i te po Paki took the stage.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Maori performance.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin with the national anthem and Hawai‘i Pono‘i sung by Kamehameha School's Kapalama Concert Glee Club.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin with the pule by kahu Kaunaloa Boshard.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin and a surprise appearance by Maori queen Nga Wai Hono i te po Paki.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23,with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Halau O Kekuhi is seen here.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Hula Halau ‘O Leilani from Japan showcased a number of dances.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Hula Halau ‘O Leilani from Japan showcased a number of dances.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Ka ‘Ohana Kahikilaulani Mexico showcased a number of diverse of cultural dances.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Ka ‘Ohana Kahikilaulani Mexico showcased a number of diverse of cultural dances.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Angitu from Aotearoa seen here.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Aotearoa is seen performing.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Nonosina brought Polynesian dances and filled the stage with their large troupe.
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Wednesday night marked the opening of the Merrie Monarch hula festival at Edith Kanakaole on Wednesday, April 23, with Ho'ike performances highlighting cultures from the Pacific Basin. Nonosina from California exhibited Polynesian dances.
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