In a few months, hula troupes from across the Hawaiian Islands and parts of the continental U.S. will make their way to the Big Island of Hawaii for the 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival. This year, the event runs April 20 to 26.
The festival was founded in 1963 to honor the legacy of King David Kalakaua, who championed the arts and who was known as the "Merrie Monarch." The weeklong festival begins with free activities, including a craft fair and performance exhibition. But the main event is the hula competition taking place over three consecutive days.
On the first night, female contestants compete for the title of Miss Aloha Hula, or best female hula performer. On the second night, groups of hula troupes perform ancient styles of hula, usually to the sounds of a beating gourds or Hawaiian chants. On the third night, the groups perform modern hula styles of dances, which may include string instruments and colorful floral dresses.
Tickets are required for the nights of hula competition and are on sale now, starting at $10 for one night or $30 for two nights. They usually sell out as soon as they are available and they are not available for purchase online or by phone, but through the mail.
Requesting tickets also comes with a set of rules: The envelope must include a ticket request form, payment by cashier's check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If the organizer is unable to grant tickets, then the payment is returned. Nothing is guaranteed until you receive a letter with an answer.
For visitors who want to see some of the best authentic hula performances in the Islands, sending in a request as early as possible is the best chance of getting the opportunity.