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King Kalākaua helped the world learn about Hawaiian culture. He met queens, popes, and leaders in many countries.
Every year in Hilo, Hawai‘i, people celebrate a big event called the Merrie Monarch Festival. This festival shows the beauty of Hawaiian dance and traditions. One of the most popular parts is the hula competition. Hula is an old Hawaiian dance. Long ago, it was banned, but now it is a proud symbol of Hawaiian culture.
The festival is often called the “Olympics of hula” because it is so large and famous. Thousands of people visit the event, and many more watch it on TV. There are also parades, music, and art. It is the biggest Hawaiian cultural event in the world.
Cultural expert Kū Kahakalau says, “This week is when we celebrate being Hawaiian. And it is all because of King Kalākaua.”
Who Was King Kalākaua?
King David Kalākaua was the last king of Hawai‘i. He ruled from 1874 until 1891. At the time, many people did not want him to be king. There was a fight, and the army helped make peace. Kalākaua became king the next day.
In his time, Hawaiian culture was in danger. Missionaries had come from other countries and stopped local customs. They even banned hula and called it a “bad chant.”
Kalākaua wanted to bring back Hawaiian culture. He created the idea Ho‘oulu Lāhui, which means “Increase the Nation.” He helped people return to old traditions—like language, music, dance, and medicine. He believed hula was the language of the heart.
Many people today think hula is only for fun, like dancing at beach parties. But hula is much more than that. It is a way to tell stories, history, and beliefs. Before 1778, there was no written language in Hawai‘i. People used hula and chants to pass on knowledge.
Even when hula was banned, Hawaiians continued to teach it secretly.
King Kalākaua’s Celebration of Culture
Kalākaua’s coronation and birthday parties were full of hula. He wanted to make Hawaiian people proud. In 1888, he wrote down an old chant called the Kumulipo. He was the first to do this. It told the history of Hawaiian royalty.
He also made hula dancers and chanters perform in public again. Today’s Merrie Monarch Festival celebrates what Kalākaua started.
He met the Pope, the Queen of England, and the Emperor of Japan. He talked about immigration, education, and electricity. He returned home with many new ideas.
Sharing Hawaiian Stories
Kalākaua also collected old Hawaiian stories and chants. He worked with elders to write them in the Hawaiian language. Later, he translated them into English. In 1888, he published a book called Legends and Myths of Hawaii. He gave this book to foreign leaders.
Kalākaua liked new technology too. He had a telephone and worked on new inventions. He hosted royal dinners, called lū‘au, for important guests.
Today’s Celebrations
Today, people still remember King Kalākaua. At the Merrie Monarch Festival, people dance hula and wear special clothes. Many of these traditions started with Kalākaua.
On the islands, places like the Polynesian Cultural Center and Grand Wailea teach visitors about Hawaiian culture. Guests learn chants, dances, and how to use Hawaiian tools.
As one hula teacher said, “Hula is the heartbeat of our Hawaiian people.” That’s what King Kalākaua believed—and what Hawaiians continue to celebrate today.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Festival: A special event or celebration.
Example: The Merrie Monarch Festival is a big celebration of Hawaiian culture.
Culture: The ideas, customs, and traditions of a group of people.
Example: King Kalākaua helped to share Hawaiian culture with the world.
Hula: A traditional Hawaiian dance.
Example: People dance the hula to show Hawaiian stories and feelings.
Parade: A public celebration with people marching and music.
Example: The festival has a big parade through the streets of Hilo.
King: A male ruler of a country.
Example: Kalākaua was the last king of Hawai‘i.
Proud: Feeling good about something you are or have done.
Example: Hawaiians are proud of their language and traditions.
Travel: To go from one place to another.
Example: King Kalākaua traveled around the world to share Hawaiian culture.
Share: To give something to others.
Example: The king wanted to share his people’s stories with the world.
Important: Something that has great value or meaning.
Example: The festival is an important event for Hawaiian people.
Legacy: Something from the past that still has value.
Example: The king’s travels left a strong legacy in Hawaiian history.
Language: A way of speaking and writing used by a group of people.
Example: The Hawaiian language is important to the people of Hawai‘i.
Tradition: A custom or belief passed down through time.
Example: Hula is a Hawaiian tradition that was almost lost.
Dance: To move your body to music.
Example: The women danced the hula at the festival.
Queen: A female ruler or the wife of a king.
Example: The king had tea with the Queen during his travels.
Bless: To give a holy or special gift.
Example: The Pope blessed the king on his trip.
People: Human beings or a group of persons.
Example: Many people come to see the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Celebrate: To do something special for an event or person.
Example: Hawaiians celebrate their culture at the festival.
Story: A tale about real or made-up events.
Example: Hula tells the stories of Hawaiian history.
Group: A number of people or things together.
Example: Hula groups from across Hawai‘i perform in the festival.
Music: Sounds made by instruments or singing.
Example: Music and chanting are part of the hula performance.