Hui O Hula

Once a year, starting the day after Easter Sunday, sleepy little Hilo Town on the Big Island of Hawai’i wakes up to a week of cultural hula dancing festival. This festival, called the Merrie Monarch, is held in honor of King Kalakaua. This year, Merrie Monarch celebrates its 60th year. Hui O Hula instructor Jojo Weingart and her hula students/sisters Lori Chamberlain and Susan Saraf were there to observe the three-day hula competition which is held in at the local stadium. During the week, music and dancing is everywhere.

—Jojo Weingart