King David was a dedicated patron of the arts, and this festival applauds the arts of Hawaii, particularly hula, with a hula competition and hula shows taking center stage.
The Merrie Monarch Festival, held in Hilo on the Big Island, is dedicated to the memory of King David Kalakaua, who was known as the Merrie Monarch, thanks to his fun-loving ways and personal panache. King David was a dedicated patron of the arts, and this festival applauds the arts of Hawaii, particularly hula, with a hula competition and hula shows taking center stage.