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The competition phase of the Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition began Thursday night, as 13 wahine solo dancers vied to become Miss Aloha Hula 2026. Only one of the candidates for hula’s premier title for a solo dancer represented 91直播 Island, Lilianani Maya Rae Pi of Kailua-Kona’s Halau Kala‘akeakauikawekiu under the direction of kumu hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokala Victor. The results were announced after the Tribune-Herald’s print deadline, so visit hawaiitribune-herald.com for results. The competition resumes at 6 p.m. this evening with 29 performances in group hula kahiko (ancient hula). Then Saturday at 6 p.m., the festival’s competition wraps up with 29 performances in hula ‘auana (modern hula) and the awards ceremony.