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Merrie Monarch Festival — the 'Olympics of hula' — celebrates 60 years

Members of Halau Hiiakainamakalehua practice in Honolulu for the upcoming Merrie Monarch Festival, which is the world's most prestigious hula competition. (Jennifer Sinco Kelleher/AP)
Members of Halau Hiiakainamakalehua practice in Honolulu for the upcoming Merrie Monarch Festival, which is the world's most prestigious hula competition. (Jennifer Sinco Kelleher/AP)

Here & Now‘s Deepa Fernandes speaks with Kimo Kahoano, the longtime host of the Merrie Monarch Festival, often called the “Olympics of hula,” which takes place in Hilo this week. This year is the festival’s 60th anniversary.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

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