Aloha everyone!
If you haven’t heard already, Merrie Monarch Festival is coming and we are SO pumped! If you missed out on our last blog about the history of this cool event, check it out here to learn more.
So now you know what this festival is all about, but what about some fun ways to celebrate it? Here are our top ways that we recommend getting in the spirit…
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Watch Merrie Monarch – of course!
What better way to celebrate the Festival than to tune in? If you’ve gotten your hands on tickets, nice job! For the rest of us, we will be watching on TV to enjoy all the amazing hula and music.
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Brush up on your ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i
The Merrie Monarch Festival at its core is a celebration of Hawaiian people and culture. Though the hula competition is what it is most famous for, the Festival aims to educate the world about all things authentically Hawaiian. Even though last month was Ka Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Native Hawaiian Language Month), we can (and should!) celebrate learning ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i year-round. Challenge yourself to learn a new phrase or word in Hawaiian in honor of the Merrie Monarch Festival!
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Try your hand at a Hawaiian craft
Did you know that most of the beautiful lei and costumes you will see dancers wearing during Merrie Monarch are handmade by the dancers themselves? One fun way to celebrate the Merrie Monarch season is by learning a Hawaiian craft yourself! Try lei-making, or even lauhala weaving! There are plenty of online resources that can teach you how to make a lei po'o (head lei). Impress your family and friends with a gorgeous lei of your own design in honor of the Festival!
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Go to the Festival!
Obviously the most fun way to get in the spirit of things! If you’ve never been, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the most immersive and fun way to enjoy the Festival, get your hands on a ticket and go check ‘em out!
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Shop the Merrie Monarch mākeke (markets)
There are so many amazing local vendors that flood Hilo during the Merrie Monarch Festival week. Go shopping at the pop-ups and find all the coolest authentic Hawaiian mea that you’ve been craving! Make sure to stop by and say ‘aloha!’ to us at the Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi market from April 4 – 6, (located at Sangha Hall), and the Grand Naniloa Hotel market from April 3 – 6. Yup, you read that right, we will be at two pop-ups this year! We can’t wait for you to see our newest merch – an aloha wear line that we will be debuting at the Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi mākeke during Merrie Monarch week!
We hope to see you in person in Hilo, but if not, we hope this list inspires you to celebrate in your own way and get into the spirit of Merrie Monarch no matter where you are tuning in from!
A hui hou! (Until next time)
