Merrie Monarch - March 31-April 6, 2013

[opihikao]

The 50th Annual Merrie Monarch Hula festival begins! Hope everyone enjoys all the events through the week. Below is the link to the official Schedule of Events:

http://www.merriemonarch.com/the-festival

Sold out as always, moreso on the celebration of 50th anniversary of the festival, here is a link to watch it live on the internet and on television:

http://www.k5thehometeam.com/category/26...al-on-kfve

For those interested, the above link (KFVE) also has the list of participating halau.

Here is a brief history of King David Kalakaua, which this festival is in honor of:

http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/king-kalakaua/

Creators of this event, Uncle George Naope and Aunty Dottie Thompson's vision below (Quoting from Merrie Monarch link above):

"They wanted to replicate what King David Kalâkaua had done, bringing the best hula dancers from around the islands to come and perform and share quality and the authenticity of hula at the time.”

We are so blessed, mahalo Ke Akua.

He inoa no Kalakaua!

Enjoy and be safe.

[Carey]

KFVE also had a background program on Wed. that they are showing on Sunday evening, but is not on the main MM schedule...

There will be a lot to see and do throughout town, with Basically Book having concerts, Imiloa & the Banyan hotels having halaus, and events up at Volcano NP (one of the most chicken skin things is if you are just hiking up near the crater & happen upon a halau doing a tribute....those are not on any scheldule...but happen according to their schedule....)

Tis a wonderful time of the year here, & there is more than enough to do & enjoy!