Sunrise Celebrates Hilo's Merrie Monarch Festival

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Sunrise, a popular Hawaii morning news program, is heading to Hilo to cover the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a renowned celebration of hula and Hawaiian culture. The festival, which takes place from April 12-18, 2026, features hula competitions, traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts, and a parade through the streets of Hilo.

Why it matters

The Merrie Monarch Festival is one of Hawaii's most significant cultural events, drawing hula practitioners, musicians, and thousands of visitors from around the world to experience the rich traditions of the Hawaiian islands. As a long-running and widely respected festival, its coverage by Sunrise will help share this important cultural celebration with a wider audience.

The details

The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long event that showcases the best hula dancers from across Hawaii and beyond. The competition features both ancient and modern hula styles, with dancers performing intricate chants, graceful movements, and vibrant costumes. In addition to the hula competitions, the festival includes Hawaiian arts and crafts demonstrations, musical performances, and a grand parade through downtown Hilo.

• The 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival will take place from April 12-18, 2026.
• Sunrise will be covering the festival from April 14-16, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Sunrise will continue to provide updates and coverage of the Merrie Monarch Festival throughout the week-long event, highlighting the hula competitions, cultural demonstrations, and the festival's impact on the Hilo community.