Oahu dance school triumphs at Merrie Monarch festival
Fresh Take:
The Oahu-based Hula Halau 'O Kamuela emerged victorious at the 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, reclaiming the prestigious title they last held six years ago. This powerhouse group also bagged the wahine (women's) overall title with a impressive score of 1,216 points, narrowly beating Kauai's Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina'ala by a mere three points.
The women of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela outshone their competition, with Leina'ala Pavao Jardin, whose niece was crowned Miss Aloha Hula in 2025, taking home the wahine hula 'auana (modern hula) title. Meanwhile, Pavao Jardin's halau hoisted the Lokalia Montgomery Perpetual Trophy in 2022, coming close to repeating their success in 2025.
Despite her ongoing cancer treatment, Pavao Jardin showed no signs of slowing down, leading both kane (men) and wahine to the 2025 competition. Her determination and the hard work of her alaka'i (assistants) made for a beautiful part of her healing journey.
Oahu's Halau Na Kamalei O Lililehua followed closely behind, capturing the kane (men's) overall title and both kane hula kahiko and hula 'auana titles. The 76-year-old kumu hula (hula master) Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, a renowned figure in Hawaiian music, announced this would be his final Merrie Monarch appearance.
Another unforgettable performance came from Halau Hi'iakainamakalehua, who paid tribute to Maui's paramount chief, Kahekilinui'ahumanu, in their kane hula kahiko (ancient hula) piece. They received thunderous applause, a fitting tribute to Kahekilinui's name, which means "thunder" in Hawaiian.
Academy of Hawaiian Arts (AHA) from Oakland, CA, though a favorite among crowds, has yet to place in the Merrie Monarch hula competition. Despite this, Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu's kane and wahine received their fair share of love from the audience in 2025.
Aaron Sala, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, shared his admiration for the festival, recognizing its significance in showcasing Hawaiian culture to the world. As Merrie Monarch continues to evolve, it serves as a valuable model for regenerative tourism and preserving Hawaiian traditions.
- Tourism in Oahu received a boost as the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival highlighted the regenerative potential of tourism, showcasing Hawaiian culture to the world.
- Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival displayed resilience, with luminaries like Robert Uluwehi Cazimero competing in their final appearances.
- The Hula Halau 'O Kamuela's victory in the 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, their wahine (women's) overall title, and Leina'ala Pavao Jardin's win in the wahine hula 'auana (modern hula) title, brought overjoyed glee to the hearts of sports fans and art lovers alike.
