Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium
Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii has hosted the Merrie Monarch Festival's hula competition since 1978, when it was still called the Ho'olulu Tennis Stadium. The three night competition grew so popular that it sold out in 1980, and with no way to add more seats the festival began televising the event in 1981.
Before you go
- Official site
- merriemonarch.com
- Next festival here
- Merrie Monarch Festival, Mar 28 to Apr 3, 2027
Festivals here
Venue basics: Hosting the hula competition since 1978 · Three competition nights each year · Fixed seating; festival is televised too.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- you want to see the historic three night Merrie Monarch hula competition in person
Think twice if
- you don't have tickets; in-person seating here has been sold out since 1980
Getting there and parking
We don't yet have confirmed information about parking at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium. The venue's own pages are the place to check: merriemonarch.com.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium. The venue's own pages are the place to check: merriemonarch.com.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium. The venue's own pages are the place to check: merriemonarch.com.
Recently at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium
Carrying Tradition: The Pāʻū Rider Journey
From the venue · Apr 13, 2026
Remembering Kumu Nālani Kanakaʻole | A Legacy of Hula and ʻOhana
From the venue · Apr 13, 2026
Ka La ʻŌnohi Mai O Haʻehaʻe • Nā Kumu Tracie & Keawe Lopes
From the venue · Apr 13, 2026
Quick answers
Since when has the Merrie Monarch Festival been held at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium?
Since 1978, when the stadium was still called the Ho'olulu Tennis Stadium.
How many nights does the hula competition run?
Three nights. A third night was added in 1980 as the Miss Aloha Hula competition grew.
Why does the Merrie Monarch Festival get televised?
The festival first sold out of tickets in 1980, and with no way to add more seats or a larger Hilo venue to move to, the festival began televising the event in 1981.
What was Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium called before?
The Ho'olulu Tennis Stadium, before it was renamed.
Can the stadium's seating be expanded for the festival?
No. The stadium has a fixed seating capacity, which is why the festival is also televised.
Which festival is held at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium?
The Merrie Monarch Festival's hula competition.
A little history
The Merrie Monarch Festival's hula competition moved to this stadium, then called the Ho'olulu Tennis Stadium and later renamed Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium, in 1978, and it has been held here ever since.
The competition runs three nights at this stadium, featuring halau hula from Hawaii and the continental United States. A third competition night was added in 1980 after the Miss Aloha Hula competition grew too large for two nights.