HILO – The traditional kick-off event of the 2016 Merrie Monarch Festival was held at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium on Sunday.

Every year, the Hoʻolauleʻa signals the start of the week-long hula festival, which this year runs from March 27 to April 2, 2016.

Admission to the Hoʻolauleʻa was free to the public; a chance to watch performances by local hālau.

In the video above, Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama, under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret, thrills the crowd at the Hilo Civic.

For more information on the festival, visit the Merrie Monarch Festival website.