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The competition phase of the Merrie Monarch Festival鈥檚 hula competition began Thursday night, as 13 wahine solo dancers vied to become Miss Aloha Hula 2026. Only one of the candidates for hula鈥檚 premier title for a solo dancer represented 91直播 Island, Lilianani Maya Rae Pi of Kailua-Kona鈥檚 Halau Kala鈥榓keakauikawekiu under the direction of kumu hula Kenneth Dean Alohapumehanaokala Victor. The results were announced after the Tribune-Herald鈥檚 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鈥檚 competition wraps up with 29 performances in hula 鈥榓uana (modern hula) and the awards ceremony.