Hula - 30 Years of the Merrie Monarch Festival

For thirty years now, people from all islands and continents have traveled to the sleepy town of Hilo, Hawaii for a truly special event. They come to dance, they come to celebrate. And especially they come to honor Hawaiian King David Kalakaua, in whose memory this annual celebration is held. Known as "The Merrie Monarch" for his love of song and dance, King Kalakaua did much to revitalize the art of Hula. Each year hundreds of highly talented hula dancers and their halau (schools) compete in what has become the premiere showcase of Hawaiian dance and culture.