Tickets to Merrie Monarch Festival’s Hōʻike Night Go on Sale This Month

Organizers for the Merrie Monarch Festival announced tickets for the event’s Wednesday night Hōʻike go on sale on March 15.

“We normally present our world-class line-up of dance performances free to the public, but in consideration of the long lines that event-goers usually encounter on Wednesday, and health concerns related to COVID-19, we have decided to sell tickets this year,” officials stated in a Facebook post this morning.

The announcement of Hōʻike ticket sales comes less than 24 hours after Mayor Mitch Roth lifted all county COVID-19 restrictions, including those that relate to gathering sizes. The mask-wearing mandate and Safe Travels Hawaii program remain in place as they are statewide directives.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the annual hula competition to be canceled in 2020. In 2021, Merrie Monarch competitors returned to the stage at Edith Kanakaʻole Multipurpose Stadium in Hilo on the Big Island, but without a live audience. With the decline in COVID cases, festival organizers plan to welcome back crowds this year.

There will be no ticket sales to the general public for the three-day competition scheduled in April. However, sponsors and members of hālau will be allowed to attend.

Hōʻike tickets are available for purchase in person at the Merrie Monarch Festival Office, located at 865 Piʻilani St. in Hilo. Office hours the day ticket sales open will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Normal weekday office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

According to Merrie Monarch officials, Hōʻike tickets will be $5, cash only. One person can purchase a maximum of 10 tickets. No reservations, tickets are sold first-come-first-served at the MM Office. All sales final.

Proof of vaccination and ID are required to enter the stadium. Officials say they are not accepting negative test results. Masks are required at all times in the stadium, except when eating and drinking.

During the Hōʻike, people will be seated in groups of two. Officials say there will be a three-foot buffer between the groups of seated individuals.

Visit merriemonarch.com for more information.