SPIRITED COMPETITION

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The 53rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition featured 29 performances — wahine and kane — Friday night at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

The 53rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s group hula kahiko (ancient hula) competition featured 29 performances — wahine and kane — Friday night at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

The evening of hula continued beyond press time for today’s edition.

All competing halau will perform hula ‘auana (modern hula) tonight.

Kahiko, ‘auana and overall (combined) scores will be tabulated and winners will be announced following tonight’s performances.

The Tribune-Herald website will have a competition recap and list of winners early Sunday morning.