Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have welcomed immigrants from every corner of the globe for over 1,500 years, cultivating and perpetuating a tapestry of diverse cultures. In this second article in our series about the many cultures that comprise Hawai‘i, we will focus on how the Kānaka Maoli got here and from where, their culture and one event that epitomizes the Hawaiian culture, the Merrie Monarch Festival.
The Early Hawaiians
Sailing on wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled canoes), Polynesians primarily from the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific navigated 2,000 miles, landing upon the shores of Hawai‘i over 1,500 years ago. The population was well-established when, about 800 years ago, Polynesians from the Society Islands arrived. Contact with southern Polynesia then ceased for about 400 years and a distinctive Hawaiian culture developed.
Culture and Tradition
Kānaka Maoli worshipped akua (gods) such as Pele and Haumea and passed down historical mo‘olelo (stories). Mo‘olelo were told through mele (song), oli (chant) and hula (dance). Mo‘olelo are insights about how the world came to be, and how relationships between people and ‘āina (the land) should be honored. These traditions hold strong today. In the early to mid-20th century, Kānaka Maoli adopted the ‘ukulele and guitar from Portuguese, Spanish and Mexican settlers, creating their own unique musical styles and instruments — the ki¯ hō‘alu (slack-key guitar) and kīkākila (steel guitar). Kānaka Maoli communicate with the world through oli, stressing the significance of voice/community. Hula, originating in Hawai‘i, derives from Polynesian dance forms. The two forms of hula today are kahiko (traditional) and ‘auana (contemporary).
The Merrie Monarch Festival
The Merrie Monarch Festival (MMF), a weeklong celebration held every year in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island, honors the legacy of the Merrie Monarch, King David Kalākaua — his love for his people and his vision for perpetuation of all things Hawaiian.
The MMF was conceived in 1963 after the collapse of the sugar industry. George Na‘ope, Gene Wilhelm and Helene Hale organized the first MMF in 1964. This first incarnation included a King Kalākaua beard look-alike contest, a relay race and a ball. In 1968, when festival popularity was declining, Dottie Thompson became executive director and focused the MMF around hula. Three years later, Dottie and George hosted a hula competition. Events included Miss Aloha Hula, group hula kahiko and group hula ‘auana. Today, the Merrie Monarch Festival is internationally renowned for its historical and cultural significance. In 2025, it takes place from April 20 to 26.
Visit MMF’s website at merriemonarch.com as well as Generations Magazine’s FaceBook page (facebook.com/genmag808) and website calendar (generations808.com/calendar) for community events and opportunities.
The next article in this series will feature the influences of Japanese culture in the Aloha State.
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