The 46th Annual Merrie Monarch festival -- four days of music, dance, exhibits an parades all dedicated to the memory of King David Kalakaua -- is on now through Sunday, April 11 in Hilo. A feast for all the senses -- beautiful and fragrant tropical lei and other florals, ancient and modern hula, kane (men) and wahine halaus are all featured, with groups from all of the Hawaiian Islands, the mainland and as far away as Japan competing in the dance competitions. King Kalakaua, known affectionately as the "Merrie Monarch", reigned over the Kingdom of hawaii from 1874 until his death in 1891. A patron of the arts, Kalakaua was responsible for restoring many of the nearly lost cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people, including Hula which had been forbidden by missionaries for more than 70 years. All hail King Kalakaua for preserving this gift of dance for future generations!
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