If you’re attending the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo this April, most of the major pieces are already set. Tickets are gone, rooms are booked, and the schedule is locked in.
What tends to get overlooked is everything in between. Getting to Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, leaving after the competition, and moving around Hilo during one of the busiest weeks of the year.
holoholo is based here in Hawaiʻi. It’s not just where we operate, it’s home. We’re part of the same community that supports this festival year after year.
holoholo drivers know Hilo. They understand how traffic builds around the stadium, how long it takes to clear out after each night, and which routes actually move once roads start backing up.
Rides are scheduled in advance with no surge pricing.
That’s a different experience than opening an app and hoping something shows up when thousands of people are leaving at the same time.
Merrie Monarch Festival 2026 Schedule and Events
The competition runs April 9–11, 2026 at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. Each night has a different focus, and the pace shifts depending on what’s being presented.
- Thursday (April 9) – Miss Aloha Hula
Individual competition. One dancer at a time, judged on technique, expression, and understanding of the mele. - Friday (April 10) – Group Hula Kahiko
Traditional hula. Chants, percussion, and storytelling tied to history and place. - Saturday (April 11) – Group Hula ʻAuana
Contemporary hula, performed with musical accompaniment, still grounded in tradition.
Tickets are no longer available. For those without seats, the competition is broadcast on local television and digital platforms.
What’s Happening Outside the Stadium
The week doesn’t revolve only around the competition nights.
- Hoʻolauleʻa (April 8)
Open to the public. Live performances, food vendors, and local community gathering in Hilo. - Hawaiian Arts & Crafts Fair
Ongoing throughout the week, featuring local artists and cultural practitioners. - Grand Parade
Runs through downtown Hilo and draws both residents and visitors.
What to Expect Getting Around Hilo
Hilo is not built for heavy traffic, and during Merrie Monarch, you feel that quickly.
- Roads around the stadium back up before doors open
- Kalanikoa Street runs one-way from April 8–12
- Parking near the stadium fills early and stays limited
- The airport see higher passenger volume throughout the week
After each competition night, the area clears out slowly. Everyone is leaving at the same time, and there aren’t many alternate routes.
Planning your arrival is one part of it. Knowing how you’re getting back matters just as much.
Hālau and Kumu Hula at Merrie Monarch 2026
The 2026 lineup includes hālau from across Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S., each bringing their own lineage and interpretation of hula.
A few participating groups:
- Hālau I Ka Wēkiu
- Hālau Nā Mamo O Pu‘uanahulu
- Keolalaulani Hālau ʻŌlapa O Laka
- Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela
- Kawaiʻulaokalā
Each hālau prepares for this throughout the year. What you see on stage reflects that level of commitment.
A Brief Look at the Festival’s History
The Merrie Monarch Festival began in the 1960s as part of an effort to support Hawaiʻi Island’s economy.
In the early 1970s, the direction shifted. Leaders including George Naʻope and Dottie Thompson centered the festival on hula as a cultural practice rather than entertainment.
That decision shaped what the festival is today.
Named after King David Kalākaua, who supported the revival of Hawaiian cultural traditions, Merrie Monarch now serves as a gathering point for hālau, kumu, and communities committed to carrying that knowledge forward.
What to Keep in Mind While Attending
A few things go a long way inside the stadium:
- Remain seated during performances
- Limit movement while chants are being delivered
- Pay attention to both the oli and the movement
- Follow the lead of those around you
- Be respectful of the Hawaiian culture and language.
Final Planning Notes for Merrie Monarch Week
The most crowded part of the night isn’t getting in. It’s everyone leaving at the same time. If your ride is already scheduled with holoholo, you won’t have to deal with long waits and surge pricing.