IN PHOTOS: 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Royal Parade pageantry in full force

Thousands of people gathered Saturday morning, April 11, lining the streets throughout downtown Hilo on the Big Island to watch the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade.

The cherished, iconic tradition celebrates Hawaiian culture, art of hula and rich heritage of Hilo Town, bringing the community together to share the spirit of aloha with the world.

Nā Leo TV once again broadcast the parade live via several platforms, including the public access cable channel and community media company’s website, YouTube and on cable Channel 54.

Pomaika’i Bartolome and Jackie Pualani Johnson provided commentary for this year’s broadcast live from from the heart of Hilo.

The parade — with all its accompanying pageantry — is the last public event before the “Super Bowl of Hula” concludes with a final night of competition, featuring group hula ‘auana, or modern hula, which will be followed by the annual awards ceremony at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

“As a Hilo girl, I cannot wait for this moment ever,” said Johnson as the two commentators began what would be a 2-hour broadcast featuring more than 80 parade entries.

Parade participants included hula hālau, marching bands, community groups, local businesses, pageant winners and, of course, pāʻū riders and keiki hula dancers, among many others.

“It is so exciting,” said Bartolome. “It is a festive time here in Hilo for our Merrie Monarch festivities, from craft fairs, to hula, to food … and of course, we’re wrapping it all up with our Merrie Monarch Royal Parade today.”

ʻOhana gathered with friends and neighbors up and down the parade route to enjoy the annual tradition, some even arriving downtown as early as 6:30 a.m. Saturday, reported Johnson, so they could stake out their prime viewing spot.

The traditional Hawaiian horseback riders — and their horses — waved and smiled at all of the spectators as they galloped by, adorned in nothing but their best royal garb, often painstakingly poured over for months as pāʻū riders create them by hand.

Rotary Clubs and other community organizations marched along the parade route. School groups, marching bands, businesses and others did the same, some even stopping from time-to-time handing out trinkets or chat for a moment, adding to the memories of those they met along the way.

“We’re extending our mahalo to everybody who participated, who brought the spirit of our island here … to the 63rd Merrie Monarch Festival Parade,” Bartolome said as the duo closed out the 2026 live broadcast.

She also thanked all parade participants for sharing their ‘ike, their wisdom and knowledge; talent; and aloha with thge community.

“To our sponsors, partners and local businesses, your continued support allows this celebration to thrive year-after-year,” Bartolome said. “To our parade committee, volunteers, emcees, our judges and safety teams, your hard work behind the scenes makes all of this possible. So mahalo to you.”

Johnson took an opportunity to also thank the entire community.

“It’s you who count because you are the ones that make all of this happen,” she said. “Your spirited appreciation of our culture, of our people, of our celebration of the arts, and really our looking to our past as a source of comfort and growth and ‘ike. Mahalo to you.”

The two women wished everyone well, telling their audience to take care, before ending the annual broadcast.

“Until next year, a hui hou kākou,” said Bartolome.

“Aloha,” concluded Johnson.

You can watch Nā Leo TV’s broadcast of the parade on the public access cable channel and media company’s YouTube channel.

Photo gallery by SunRa Adziyaomamawu, a senior at Connections Public Charter School in Hilo.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.