If you ever get the chance do visit the big island of Hawaii, you must attend the Merrie Monarch competition! It is an annual event on or around May or April. The monarch was created to honor the legacy of King David Kalakaua who inspired the Hawaiian tradition and language. It is a week long event with hula competitors in hula, Tahitiian, and chant. Both male and female groups perform under their own Halau (house) and come from as far away as New Zealand and as close as Los Angeles Ca.
There is a beautiful grand parade depicting the king and queen through the central area of Hilo. The monarch also has art fairs, lei sellers, and hula shows. This is a great way to learn about the Hawaiian culture, as most American’s do not know the history or language of the islands. It’s more than the 'Hawaiian dinner rolls" depicted in TV commercials, flower lei’s or the ukulele. I encourage everyone to attend this event and get a bit of history. The people are beautiful and friendly and it will be a wonderful experience to talk about.https://youtu.be/OkLGYoyymDM
Mahalo
