Dances of the past

HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Halau O Ka Ua Kani Lehua of Hilo, under the direction of kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho, performs during the 2018 Merrie Monarch Festival group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition Friday night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani ‘E of Hilo, under the direction of kumu hula Iwalani Kalima, dances during the Merrie Monarch Festival group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition Friday night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. The dances of Hawaii’s past were brought to life Friday night during the group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition during the 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.

The competition, which featured 29 performances — kane (men) and wahine (women) groups — of the 20 participating hula halau, concluded later than West Hawaii Today’s print deadline.

The Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. today, rain or shine.

The group hula ‘auana (modern hula) competition starts at 6 p.m. today at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. It will be followed by the awards ceremony, which will include kahiko, ‘auana and overall scores for kane and wahine. The overall champions will be awarded the coveted Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy. (Photo by HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald)

The dances of Hawaii’s past were brought to life Friday night during the group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition during the 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival.