Ancient hula celebrated during kahiko night at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
Following performances for Miss Aloha Hula on Thursday, the 2025 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival continued Friday with 20 hālau showcasing kahiko, or the ancient hula.
Groups took to the stage at the open-air Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium in Hilo, where men and women performed oli (chants) and hula, telling stories that honor the places and people of Hawai‘i.
From Kaua‘i, Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala under the direction of Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin, performed “He Mele No Ka Hale Kukui O Kīlauea.”
The mele celebrates the Kīlauea Lighthouse.
Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala under the direction of kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin- Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala (Kelsey Walling/Kauaʻi Now)
- Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua under nā kumu Robert Keane Kaʻupu IV and Lona Padilla
- Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani under the direction of kumu Nāhōkūokalani Gasbang
- Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela under Kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo
- Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under Kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes
- Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka under Kumu Keolalauani Dalire and Regina Mākaʻikaʻi Igarashi Pascua Heʻeia
- Academy of Hawaiian Arts under Kumu Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu
In celebration of 50 years of teaching hula, Kumu Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero brought his group of men to the stage performing a mele he initially composed in 1996, “Kohemālamalama.”
Cazimero amended the mele with a composition rallying the neighbor islands to continue the momentum of aloha ʻāina.
The competition culminates tonight, where hālau will perform ‘auana (modern) hula. Following tonight’s performances, winners for the group portion of the competition will be announced.
Watch the final night of competition online here.
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