Photos: Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off with Ho‘olaule‘a

Dancers chant Sunday during the Merrie Monarch Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. (TIM WRIGHT/Special to the Tribune-Herald)

Members of the court line up outside Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium before taking the stage at Sunday’s Merrie Monarch Festival Ho‘olaule‘a. (TIM WRIGHT/Special to the Tribune-Herald)

Dancers captivated the crowd at Sunday’s Ho‘olaule‘a at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. (TIM WRIGHT/Special to the Tribune-Herald)

Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium reached full capacity Sunday as thousands gathered to enjoy a day of chants and hula at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival Ho‘olaule‘a. (TIM WRIGHT/Special to the Tribune-Herald)

Dancers impressed the crowd Sunday during the Merrie Monarch Festival Ho‘olaule‘a at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. (TIM WRIGHT/Special to the Tribune-Herald)