Smiles. Laughter. Hugs. ‘Ohana. Aloha. Even a few tears — of joy. And that was all just before strolling in.
The Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo bristled to the brim inside and out with emotion and activity Thursday, April 21, as people from all walks of everyday living and all about took in the sights, sounds and revenue — in individual — for the duration of the 2nd day of the formal Merrie Monarch Arts & Crafts Truthful.
The craft fair returned this year to an in-particular person event for the first time since the starting of the COVID-19 pandemic. It began Wednesday, April 20, and carries on via Saturday, April 23, in conjunction with the Tremendous Bowl of hula, the 59th once-a-year Merrie Monarch Festival.
The honest showcases Hawai‘i artisans and creators when celebrating hula and Hawaiian culture. Extra than 130 artists and sellers are on hand. Admission is totally free, and people who show up at can locate every thing from domestically built arts and crafts, together with handmade lei, aloha use, woodwork and jewellery, to skincare, flowers, gifts and formal Merrie Monarch merchandise.
Fairgoers also appreciate day-to-day amusement, such as hula performances by regional hālau and tons of audio. And really don’t ignore the food stuff. The smells at the civic auditorium are attractive, with food items trucks and distributors featuring a plethora of neighborhood grinds and other favorites.
Several other events also are taking place this week all over Hilo, working congruently with the competition, including a craft fair and hula performances at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Banyan Generate.
The environment at the civic auditorium was a person of cheer and delight Thursday. Friends and household wandered by the facility, at times stopping to check out a vendor that piqued their desire, other periods just declaring hello to a person they have not viewed for awhile. Everyone was possessing entertaining and taking pleasure in their time alongside one another.
It is far more than a very simple celebration of hula and anything Hawaiian, and the enjoyment for the return of all issues Merrie Monarch, particularly the competition itself, was palpable when talking to persons at the craft honest.
“I’m pretty fired up that Merrie Monarch is again,” mentioned Lina Robins-Tamure, a member of the Merrie Monarch house band. The band performed and sang at the front entrance of the auditorium Thursday. “The energy in Hilo is diverse. The electrical power in Hilo is what makes Merrie Monarch, Merrie Monarch.”
As a musician, her preferred portion of the Merrie Monarch Festival is listening to all the new music.
Yet another member of the dwelling band, Keli Viernes, mentioned her favored aspect of Merrie Monarch is seeing people today from all the other islands appear to Hilo and appreciate the art of hula. She’s been a member of the band for 30-additionally a long time.
“I’m glad it’s back again again,” stated Viernes.
“I’m so excited to be again at the Merrie Monarch since it’s truly wonderful to see all the men and women all over again celebrating almost everything hula, society — it’s just definitely enjoyable,” stated Elena Nagamine, who was manning the Ah Lan’s Lei Stand booth Thursday at the craft good.
She stated her preferred portion of the festival, “besides dressing up and purchasing the newest don,” is ingesting.
Kehau Tamure, another member of the Merrie Monarch residence band, agreed that the foodstuff is a person of the very best elements of Merrie Monarch, but it is about so a great deal more.
“My favorite portion is we always have a team of good friends that assemble at Merrie Monarch, and it’s just that time of the yr that we all get to hold out jointly and share,” said Tamure.
She stated the competition wakes up Hilo and is glad for its return.
“I’m energized that immediately after, like, two many years, we received to have Merrie Monarch back again,” Tamure claimed.
The Merrie Monarch Competition continues tonight in Hilo at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Function Stadium with the Pass up Aloha Hula level of competition.