Trans-Pacific celebration

HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Halau O Kekuhi of Hilo performs during the 2018 Merrie Monarch Ho‘ike Wednesday night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua from Oahu performs during Wednesday night’s Merrie Monarch Festival Ho‘ike at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela Iapana from Japan performs Wednesday night during the 2018 Merrie Monarch Ho‘ike at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

The Merrie Monarch Festival’s Wednesday night Ho‘ike featured a tribute to the original crew of the Polynesian Voyaging Society double-hulled canoe Hokule‘a, which returned to Hilo earlier this week for the first time since leaving on a world tour in 2014.