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.
Out of Hilo, Hālau Hula ‘O Kahikilaulani, under the direction of Kumu Nāhōkūokalani Gaspang, performed the kahiko mele “He ʻĀina Maikaʻi Aʻo Waipiʻo.” The dancers conveyed the beauty of the valley and its waterfall, Hi‘ilawe.
Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani under kumu Nāhōkūokalani Gasbang- Hālau Hula ʻO Kahikilaulani (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now)
- Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala under kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin
- Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua under nā kumu Robert Keano Kaʻupu IV and Lono Padilla
- Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela under nā kumu Kunewa Mook and Kauʻionālani Kamanaʻo
- Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under nā kumu Haunani and ʻIliahi Paredes
- Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka under nā 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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