The Merrie Monarch Festival

Hawaii is home to many beautiful beaches and different tourist sites. Hawaii is mostly known for its tourism and vacation perks. But there are much more than just the beaches, the tropical warmth, and even the other stereotypical ideas people think Hawaii still has such as grass skirts, huts, and even coconuts as bras. But there are more than just those ridiculous ideas. Hawaii has culture, history, and a story that made Hawaii how it is today and still manages to keep its traditions. Hawaii is home to ancient cultures, such as hula. It is blinded by the many tourist sites around the island, but is brought back through the Merrie Monarch Festival, which displays the skills and knowledge of ancient and modern hula.

            Although many movies or commercials make it look like hula is just a form of dance, it is an authentic form of dance. The chants that give reason to the dance and the music are the oral history of Hawaii’s people. Passed down from one teacher to another, the stories have survived western contact, early missionary censure, U.S. takeover and statehood. It is known to be an extension of their culture and is an art to the Hawaiians. Many people that live in Hawaii respects the form of dance hula is, but is overlooked when it comes to the tourists, which should be one of the many things the rest of the other states should be learning about Hawaii due to the fact mainlanders don’t know much about the culture of Hawaiians. Hula is divided into two general categories: Kahiko, which is ancient hula, and Auana, which is contemporary hula. Hula Kahiko is typically preformed more with percussion instruments, sticks, and other wind instruments. Hula Auana is usually preformed with ukuleles, acoustics, and other guitars. Hula is a very expressive dance and should be respected as a form of art as well as dance too. Hula is the most powerful expression of indigenous Hawaiian culture that exists.

            The Merrie Monarch Festival honors King David La’amea Kalakaua, who was Hawaii’s last king from the years 1874 and 1891. Kalakaua who was nicknamed “Merrie Monarch” is credited with reviving Hawaiian cultural practices and arts that has been suppressed for many years by missionary teachings. It was wrong for the foreigners to forbid the Hawaiians to dance hula because it was a very important way of expression. During Kalakaua’s reign, more than 300 ancient hulas were recovered, and Kalakaua supported the public performance of hula and advocated for a renew sense of pride in everything Hawaiian, from medicine to chant and dance. It was a very good thing for Kalakaua to bring back hula because it gave the Hawaiians some of their culture back after being taken away by the foreigners. Because ancient Hawaiians had no written language, Hawaiian genealogy, religion, culture and history were passed down through hula and chant. In Hawaii there is no way you cannot take hula away from Hawaiians. It is their own way to keep them different from the rest of the world, which should be kept the way it today.

            The Merrie Monarch Festival is a domestic non- profitable organization registered with the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Begun in 1963, the festival’s considered the world’s premier forum for people of all ages to display their skills and knowledge of the art of ancient and modern hula. The annual presentation of The Merrie Monarch Festival has led to the renaissance of the Hawaiian culture that is being passed on from one festival to another. The weeklong festival includes art exhibits, demonstrations, performances, a parade that emphasizes the cultures of Hawaii, and a three-day long hula competition that has received worldwide recognition for its historic and cultural significance. Through the celebration of the Merrie Monarch Festival, people believe that thousands of people in Hawaii and even around the world are learning about the history and culture of Hawaii. In preparation for the festival, hula studios and instructors in Hawaii and in even in the mainland hold classes, workshops, and seminars throughout the year to teach the art of hula, the meaning of Hawaiian chants and songs, the Hawaiian language, and the history of the Hawaiian people. It is known to be a very exciting week for many who have a passion for hula. Proceeds from the festival support educational scholarships, workshops, and other educational purposes to help others. The Merrie Monarch Festival is the focal point to many hula teachers, students, studios, and people of all ages who are committed to the preparation and advancements of the Hawaiian history and culture.
           The Merrie monarch festival has been going on for many years now and has been growing very successful throughout those years. Hula and Hawaii’s culture is the main point of this festival. But even if it’s said to be a competition, it is more of a performance to bring back the history and culture of Hawaii. Hula has been a major role in the culture of Hawaii. But even though it is only known as a regular form of dance, the meaning of hula is brought back through the Merrie Monarch Festival. Hawaii is a very strong and proud state and even before it was a state, the kingdom of Hawaii was one of the most culture filled and colorful place to be in and is making its way to become known than just a tropical resort but a place where history, culture, dance, and language is home to.