HILO, Hawai'i — There are new names on the list of judges, and some first-time hula halau are appearing on stage, but one thing remains the same: the energy of "hulaholics" gathered at the Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium for the 46th Merrie Monarch Festival.

The streets are filled with smiling people, gathered together to celebrate a weekend of Hawaiian language, dance and music.

The buzz before the competition began yesterday was Halau 'O Kekuhi's portrayal of the epic adventure of Hi'iaka and Pana'ewa, the great mo'o lizard, presented at Wednesday's Hoi'ke, the non-competitive night.

Costumes were created by designer Sig Zane, husband of kumu hula Nalani Kanaka'ole. Zane's flying cloak-skirts of hala drew cheers.

Some halau come to share their tradition, no matter the results in points. Others come to compete, fiercely. All know they are dancing for thousands of viewers in the stadium and hundreds of thousands more across the state and the world via the Internet.

Back in December, the tickets to this event were sold out in one day. Kumu hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett said, "People save all year for this. They come to support hula and the future of hula."

Vendors at the crowded craft booths related that despite international economic woes, spirits are high in Hilo.

Eleven halau presented a Miss Aloha Hula competitor. Twenty-two halau came to compete in ancient and modern hula presentations, from O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, the Big Island and from Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Anticipation is high for the first-time entry of Keali'i Rei- chel's Halau Ke'alaokamaile of Maui. Former Miss Aloha Hula Tracie Farias and co-kumu husband Keawe Lopes are introducing their first-time halau, Ka La 'Onohi Mai o Ha'eha'e. And kumu Rae Foseca, who doesn't always participate, is back with his Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani, a Hilo-based group that generates cheers to raise the roof from its Island admirers.

This week, there is dance in hotel lobbies. Hawaiian arts and crafts abound and discussion continues late into the evening about flowers, costumes, colors and new ways to present time-honored stories.