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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.

Rae Fonseca and his Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, May 2009. Photography by Dan and Lin Dzurisin | Special to Hawaii 24/7

More photos by Dan and Lin Dzurisin

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

Less than 24 hours after the death of Dottie Thompson, the Big Island lost yet another hula standout in kumu hula Rae Kahiki Fonseca, aka Ray Fonseca. He was 56.

News of his sudden death first traveled across the Big Island and through hula circles Saturday afternoon. Fonseca reportedly collased following a performance at the Lei O Lanikuhonua Hula Festival at Ko Olina and was pronounced dead at an area hospital. It is believed he had a heart attack.

With his Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani of Hilo, Fonseca was a perennial front runner at the Merrie Monarch Festival for the last three decades, winning numerous awards. Just last year, the wahine of Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani took second place in wahine kahiko and third in wahine overall.

The halau is scheduled to participate in next month’s 47th annual Merrie Monarch Festival.

In 1980, he established Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani. He was given the name Kahikilaulani by his own kumu hula, the late hula master and festival founder George Naope.

“Laulani” was added to his hawaiian name “Kahiki.” In essence, “Kahikilaulani” (the staff of heaven) soon became “Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani”.

Fonseca will be best remembered for his dedicating his life to living and preserving the Hawaiian culture.

Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani appeared at a concert with Cyril Pahinui and the Kaimu Sons at Palace Theatre in Hilo about six weeks ago.

Services for kumu Rae Fonseca will be held 1-3 p.m, Friday (April 16) at Sangha Hall in Hilo.

Luana Kawelu (left), Mayor Billy Kenoi and Auntie Dottie Thompson. Mayor Kenoi proclaimed Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 "Auntie Dottie Thompson Day."

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

One of the Big Island’s best beloved matriarchs has died.

Dottie Thompson, co-founder of the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival, reportedly died Friday, March 19 in Hilo. She was 88.

Just five months ago, the world of hula lost another of its shining lights. Uncle George Naope, who along side Thompson is credited with founding the hula showcase, died Oct. 26, 2009.

Within an hour of the news of Thompson’s death, tributes and mahalos were popping up on social media networks, as friends and fans recalled her drive and determination to make the Merrie Monarch Festival the world’s premier hula event. Although she often stayed behind the scenes, she was credited as the backbone and true spirit of the festival.

Thompson, who appeared last year at the festival, had been its executive director since its early years.

She was honored in February 2010 as the YWCA Hawaii Island Remarkable Person. The YWCA ceremony was attended by more than 100 people and was one of Thompson’s last public appearances, as she had been in failing health for some time.

Citing her longstanding leadership of the festival, YWCA President Lorraine Godoy said, “Auntie Dottie’s gift of vision, honor of culture, and devotion to preserving our traditions have been unselfishly shared with the people of Hawaii and beyond. Auntie Dottie has enriched our cultural, artistic, and business spheres and united our community through this singular event.”

Mayor Billy Kenoi also hailed Thompson’s leadership and tenacity: “Dottie, because of you and all the blood, sweat, tears, and love you poured into Merrie Monarch for over the last 40 years, you have put Hilo on the map and spread the warm spirit of aloha to people from all over the world.”

Thompson received the 2000 Outstanding Non-Hawaiian Perpetuating the Hawaiian Culture award by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and she was named a Living Legend in 1996 by the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation

The festival evolved through the years, but remains true to hula’s origins and the culture of ancient Hawaiian people.

In addition to cultural demonstrations, craft fairs and art exhibits, entertainment, performances and a parade, the competition now spans three days and features about two dozen halau from across Hawaii and the mainland.

The first night, usually the Thursday after Easter, young women compete for the title of Miss Aloha Hula. The Friday night performances feature the hula kahiko, or traditional dance. Dancers perform the hula auana, or modern dance, on the final night with award presentations.

In 1976, the competition was opened to men (kane) and the festival only grew in popularity.

The festival was televised live for the first time in 1980. In recent years, the festival has been live streamed over the Internet.

This year’s event, the 47th annual Merrie Monarch Festival, is scheduled for April 4-10 at Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium
in Hilo.

— Find out more:

www.merriemonarchfestival.org

A panoramic view of the 2006 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Click on image to enlarge. Photography by Baron Sekiya.

Lt. Governor Aiona Issues Statement On Passing Of Auntie Dottie

HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Dorothy “Auntie Dottie” Thompson, co-founder and executive director of the Merry Monarch Festival:

“Auntie Dottie exemplified a life of aloha, and she will be sorely missed by all of Hawai‘i.

“Critical to the future of life in these islands is the perpetuation of our host culture, and through the art of hula and the Merrie Monarch Festival, Auntie Dottie established a legacy that will live on for generations to come.

“My ‘ohana, especially in Hilo, is deeply saddened to learn of her passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with Auntie’s family and friends.”

From the office of Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi

“Aunty Dottie” Thompson Passes Away

We are deeply saddened by the passing of “Aunty Dottie” Thompson and extend our aloha and gratitude to her family, her many friends, fans and supporters here in Hawai’i nei and throughout the world who loved and honored her. Her monumental passing marks the end of an era for our community and for the Hula world.

Best known as the Executive Director and co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival for 47 years, she was a visionary who embodied the heart and soul of the festival and worked passionately and tirelessly for many years to build the Merrie Monarch Festival into the world’s premier celebration of Hawaiian culture and Hula. She will be greatly missed.

- If you have any thoughts you’d like to express in the passing of ‘Aunty Dottie’ Thompson feel free to leave a comment below here on Hawaii 24/7.

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has ordered the Hawaii state flag to fly at half-staff at state and county buildings Saturday, Dec. 19, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of former state Sen. Stanley Hara, who died Dec. 1 at his Hilo home.

Hara was elected as a representative to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in 1954 and served in the State Senate until 1980. He also worked in real estate for many years.

Hara’s son, Glenn, is a Circuit Court judge in Hilo.

Hara is survived by wife, Diane; sons, Glenn and Bradley; sisters, Sadako Tokoro, Kaneko Mikami, Gladys Mikami, Violet Chung and Mary Morisugi; and three grandchildren.

Services are set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, with visitation from 5 p.m. Services also are planned at 11 a.m. Satruday at Dodo Mortuary chapel in Hilo, with visitation from 9 a.m.

The family requests no flowers; aloha attire.

The text of the governor’s proclamation:

The people of Hawaii mourn the loss of Stanley I. Hara, former state senator, who passed away on Dec. 1, 2009 at the age of 86.

Senator Hara devoted his life and career to the people of our state. From 1954 to 1980, he served tirelessly in the territorial Legislature and later in the state Legislature. First elected in 1954, he served as the chair of the House Finance Committee for six years.

Appointed by former Governor John A. Burns to the state Senate in 1969, he later took on the chairmanship of the Senate education committee and the ecology, environmental and recreation committees.

A dedicated and devoted supporter of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hara received the school’s Distinguished Alumni and Service Award in 2008. In August of 2009, a UH-Hilo student received a scholarship in Senator Hara’s name from the Two-Ten Golf Club, enabling him to pursue his dream of becoming a physician.

Senator Hara was one of the visionary leaders who helped forge the foundation of our state into what we cherish today. His broad smile, hearty laugh, quick step and signature bowties will be missed in the halls of our legislature. Our state is thankful for his service and dedication.

Hawaii is a richer place because of dedicated people like Stanley I. Hara, and he will be deeply missed by his wife, Diane; sons Judge Glenn S. Hara and Bradley S. Hara; sisters Sadako Tokoro, Kaneko Mikami, Gladys Mikami, Violet Chung and Mary Morisugi; three grandchildren; and the many people whose lives he touched.

With deep respect and gratitude, we honor the memory of  STANLEY I. HARA

THEREFORE, I, LINDA LINGLE, Governor of the State of Hawaii, do hereby order the lowering of the Hawaii State Flag to half-staff on all state and county buildings from sunrise to sunset on Dec. 19, 2009, and encourage our residents and visitors to offer their condolences to the Hara family. I further encourage the people of Hawaii to display the Hawaii flag at half-staff at their homes and businesses on that day.

DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawaii, this fifteenth day of December 2009.

Linda Lingle

Governor, State of Hawaii

Services for hula master George Naope are Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov.  7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

The “Celebration of His Life” is 1-9 p.m. Friday, including a Roman Catholic service from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Following at 6:30 p.m. is a “Gift of Words,” a time when anyone is invited to share a special memory.

The celebration continues 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, including a Hawaiian service at 1 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Kaniela Akaka.

The celebrations are open to the public.

Naope, 81, died Oct. 26 at his Waiakea Uka home. He was a kumu hula, singer, dancer and chanter, and also was the co-founder of the world renowned Merrie Monarch Festival.

Uncle George Naope smiles and poses last year with Darlene Ahuna. (Hawaii247 photo special by Tim Wright)

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

George Lanakilakekiahiailli Naope, co-founder of the Merrie Monarch hula festival, died Monday, Oct. 26 in his Waiakea Uka home after a long illness.

He was 81 and last year had lung surgery.

Tributes already are pouring in from across the state and around the world, hailing the pint-sized man with the giant heart and unwavering passion for Hawaii’s performing arts.

‘Uncle George’ was internationally famed and renowned as a hula master, chanter and performer, as well as co-founder of the world’s premier hula festival and ambassador for Hawaiian culture.

Naope, with Dottie Thompson and Agnes “Aunty Agney” Kalanihookaha Cope, founded the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo in 1963 after a trip to a Whaling Festival on Maui.

Naope, in a wheelchair, and Thompson were in attendance at the 2009 Merrie Monarch Festival.

He was born Feb 25, 1928, in Hilo and was already beginning his hula career at age 3.

He began teaching hula by the time he was 13. Over his lifetime, the kumu hula taught the kahiko hula, or ancient hula, in Europe, Japan, Australia the mainland and South America.

Naope also recorded several albums, but mostly was know for his deep love of the pageantry, protocol and pomp of hula.

His passion shined in the presence of at least two U.S. presidents as he greeted Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy on their island arrivals. Naope also was called to share the aloha at the wedding of (then crown prince) Emporer Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan.

He was honored with the “Living Golden Treasure” designation by the governor and state Legislature of Hawaii in 1960, and named in the Smithsonian Institute as a “Treasure of Hawaii” by President George Bush, Sr.

In addition to thousands of students and fans, Naope is survived by three sisters, Eileen, Bernie and Emma, a brother, Frank, numerous nieces and nephews, and a hanai grandson, Hoapili Bower.

Services are tentatively set with a Nov. 6 viewing, and a Nov. 7 celebration and memorial, at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

photos and video from the service
—

Lyman Medeiros invites everyone to call KonaFM between 5:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 to share memories of Uncle George Naope. Call 296-5422.

Uncle George Naope 1928-2009 (Hawaii247 photo special by Tim Wright)