HNN Off-Air: Aunty Luana Kawelu, Merrie Monarch Festival President

To most people in the hula universe, Luana Kawelu is known simply as Aunty Luana. But for over a decade she's also held the title of President of The Merrie Monarch Festival — the most prestigious hula event in the world. At 81 years old, Aunty Luana was tasked this year with reviving the international competition in the middle of a pandemic. Mahealani Richardson traveled to the Big Island to speak with Aunty Luana about the history and the challenges of bringing back the Merrie Monarch Festival.