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Even at her funeral, Auntie Dottie Thompson brought together people of many different backgrounds.

Hula community bids aloha to Auntie Dottie (Apr 18, 2010)

Auntie Dottie Thompson, who for 40-plus years shaped the Islands' premier hula festival, the Merrie Monarch, was celebrated yesterday with word and song and food and dance in an event that began in the early morning and didn't end until more than 12 hours later.

Auntie Dottie to be remembered in Hilo (Apr 17, 2010)
Today, one week after the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo will again be hula-land, honoring the life of longtime Merrie Monarch Festival director "Auntie" Dottie Thompson.

Kumu hula Tiare Noelani Chang's Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala, from Wai'anae, competed last night at the Merrie Monarch Festival in the Hilo stadium. The annual hula fest wrapped up last night with awards and celebration.

Hula smiles on Hilo (Apr 11, 2010)

Every year during Easter week, the Merrie Monarch Festival, which ended last night, transforms Hilo, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world for free hula performances, craft fairs, entertainment, a folksy parade and the centerpiece three-night hula competition.

Halau Ke Kia'i A O Hula, from Kalihi and Kapalama, performed in last night's hula kahiko portion of the 47th Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. The competition concludes tonight with hula 'auana, or modern hula.

New Miss Aloha Hula gracious (Apr 10, 2010)

HAWAII � Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem of O'ahu is about to prepare for a year-long whirlwind. Tonight, however, as the Merrie Monarch draws to a close, she will perform as just one of the haumana, or students, in her hālau.

Merrie Monarch Group Hālau (Apr 10, 2010)
In order of performance last night and tonight; some halau have both men and women's groups competing, so they appear twice.

47th Merrie Monarch Festival (Apr 09, 2010)
In performing order. Miss Aloha Hula was chosen last night.

Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem, of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, won the Miss Aloha Hula 2010 title last night at the 47th Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. She performed to the song,

'There's something in the air' (Apr 09, 2010)

HILO, Hawai'i � Everyone has noticed it: "There's something in the air," said singer, dancer and composer Kaumakaiwa "Lopaka" Kanaka'ole of Hilo as he sat in the stadium named for his famous relative, Edith Kanaka'ole, awaiting the start of the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition last night.

Full list of hālau (Apr 09, 2010)
Merrie Monarch hālau list.