Hawaii Tribune-Herald / HOLLYN JOHNSON photo Maui’s Shalia Kapuau’ionalani Kikuyo Kamakaokalani won the Miss Aloha Hula competition late Thursday night at the 55th annual Merrie Monarch ...

Growing up, both Maui contestants in this year’s Miss Aloha Hula competition admired their older hula sisters who graced the stage in the soloist competition at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.

The Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, which began Sunday, has been voted USA Today’s top cultural festival in the nation. The festival is held in memory of King David Kalakaua, the “Merrie ...

A hula troupe performs hula kahiko, or ancient style of hula, at the Merrie Monarch Festival ... female contestants compete for the title of Miss Aloha Hula, or best female hula performer.