Services have been announced for two Big Island hula luminaries who died within a day of each other last month.
* A funeral service for long-time Merrie Monarch Festival executive director Dorothy “Auntie Dottie” Thompson has been scheduled for Saturday, April 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo.
Friends are invited to call from 8 a.m. until Mass at noon. Entombment will follow at Homelani Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Thompson, who died March 19 at the age of 88, served as the Merrie Monarch Festicval executive director almost from its inception nearly five decades ago. She also served as culture and arts director for the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation and managed the Aloha Week Festival on the Big Island from 1970 to 1975.
* A public celebration of life for kumu hula Rae Fonseca is scheduled for Friday, April 16 in Hilo.
Fonseca, who founded Hula Halau O Kahikilaulani, died March 20 at age 56 after collapsing following a performance at the Lei O Lanikuhonua Hula Festival in Ko Olina.
The celebration of life is 1-3 p.m. at Sangha Hall. A private scattering of ashes will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fonseca’s memory may be made to Hula Halau O Kahikilaulani, 121 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720.
You might be interested in:
