Merrie Monarch Festival History

The Merrie Monarch Festival is dedicated to the memory of King David Kalakaua, who became known as the Merrie Monarch. King Kalakaua was the second (and last) elected king of Hawaiʻi, who came to the throne in 1874 and reigned until his death in 1891. His long reign of seventeen years was marked by a joyful resurgence in Hawaiian culture. He was instrumental in restoring many of the nearly extinct cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people including myths, legends, and hula, which had been forbidden by the missionaries for over 70 years.

Ancient Hawaiians had no written language. Instead, all communication beyond the spoken word took place in the form of chants and the dance of hula. Hula and its accompanying chants recorded Hawaiian genealogy, mythology, and prayers of the heart. Hula was the means by which the culture, history, stories, and almost every aspect of Hawaiian life was expressed and passed down through generations.

More than 100 years later, Hawaii, and the world – celebrates the memory of the ‘Merrie Monarch’ at the hula competition that bears his name. In 1963, the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce started what is today known as the Merrie Monarch Festival. The private nonprofit Merrie Monarch Festival community organization continues the tradition to this day, and is considered the most prestigious hula competition in the world. Because the Merrie Monarch Festival has maintained strict standards of authenticity, the true history and culture of the ancient Hawaiian people is being perpetuated. Without such educational and cultural organizations, the history and unique traditions of the Hawaiian people will be lost forever.