Merrie Monarch Competition Set For April 16-18

HONOLULU -- This year the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival celebrates its 46th anniversary, featuring some of the finest dancers from around the Hawaiian Islands and some from the mainland.

KITV 4 Island Television will provide live TV coverage of the time-honored event on April 16-18. This year, the festival will be broadcast in high-definition for the first time.

KITV.com will also provide live streaming video of the event online. Viewers have watched the event live from as far away as Europe, the Middle East, Japan and Mexico.

On April 16, some of the very best dancers will compete for the title of Miss Aloha Hula. Watch as the performers show off their talents in the kahiko (ancient) and auana (modern) dance.

Last year's exciting competition came down to a tie-breaker. Kalimakuhilani Akemi Kalämanamana Suganuma from Keolalaulani Hälau ‘Olapa O Laka edged out Kapalai’ula de Silva for the prestigious honor.

On Friday night, watch kane (men) and wahine (women) halau (groups) dance the kahiko, traditional dance.

The event wraps up Saturday night with the kane and wahine halau performing their auana. It ends that night with the awards ceremony.

KITV 4 Island Television News will also provide a look at some of the issues facing the Big Island and deliver live reports during the festival.

Plan to join KITV and KITV.com for three nights of the premiere competition in hula.