Uncle George Na'ope
National Endowment of the Arts honors hula master
The annual Merrie Monarch Hula
Festival delivers a profusion of sights and sounds to delight the senses.
People watching, both on stage in the audience, is especially entertaining
because of hula enthusiasts decked out in all their aloha wear finery
with gorgeous lei to match. One of the most anticipated sights is the
appearance of kumu hula and Merrie Monarch co-founder George Na'ope.
Each year, he makes a grand entrance outfitted from head to toe with
a flamboyant ensemble sure to rival the flashiest fashionistas from
Ka'u to Carson City. While he may be diminutive in physical stature,
Uncle George (as he is affectionately known) sports a huge presence
in the hula world that extends far beyond his show stealing style sense.
This year marked a special milestone for this Hawai'i-Island-born and
-raised hula master, held in great esteem by thousands of hula aficionados
from around the world for his contributions to the traditional Hawaiian
art form. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded him one
of its greatest honors, reserved for practitioners and preservationists
of America's diverse cultural heritage.
The NEA fellowship, which is based on Japan's National Living Treasure
designation, has been presented to several artists annually since 1982.
It recognizes the lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and contributions
to the country's traditional arts heritage by master folk and traditional
artists. Nominees must be worthy of national recognition and have a
record of continuing artistic accomplishment and must still be active
in their art form as teachers or practitioners or participants. The
criteria for selection include authenticity, excellence and significance
within their particular artistic tradition. Each honoree receives an
award of $20,000. Past winners include a gospel singer, a Native American
storyteller, a bluegrass picker, a capoeira angola master, a poet, a
taiko drummer, blues guitarists and a Cajun fiddler, among others.
"This is a great honor for me to represent my Hawaiian people,"
says Uncle George. "They made me what I am today."
Like other kumu hula raised in the old style, he was taught from the
tender age of three by his great-grandmother, who insisted he learn
the culture. He admits not enjoying it until he was about 15 years old,
when he became "a little older and a little wiser."
After teaching for nearly 60 years, he is proud of his contributions
to hula and the vitality it enjoys today, which is due in large part
to the popularity of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Started in 1971
to preserve the kahiko (ancient) styles, the festival was named in honor
of King David La'amea Kalakaua (nicknamed "The Merrie Monarch")
who insisted that hula be performed at his inauguration in 1874, much
to the chagrin of the missionary/Republican business community of the
day. Kalakaua recognized the artistic excellence of hula and its significant
role in the heritage of the Hawaiian people.
This award brings national attention to a man who, not unlike the king
he honors, will be remembered always for breathing new energy into the
long breath of hula.
Other Hawai'i artists who have received a National Heritage Fellowship
in the past 25 years are Aunty Genoa Keawe, singer and 'ukulele musician,
in 2000; Richard and Solomon Ho'opi'i, falsetto singers, in 1996; hula
masters Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele and Nalani Kanaka'ole of Halau o
Kekuhi in 1993; Seisho "Harry" Nakasone, Okinawan singer,
in 1991; Marie McDonald, lei maker in 1990; Kindy Sproat, Hawaiian paniolo
cowboy singer and 'ukulele musician, in 1988; Raymond Kane, singer and
slack key guitar musician, in 1987; Meali'i Kalama, quilter, in 1985;
and kumu hula Kau'i Zuttermeister, in 1982.
Next year also looks terrific for Uncle George. He celebrates his 80th
birthday on February 25th, and a week later kicks off the first annual
Uncle George Na'ope Kane Hula Festival in downtown Hilo's Kalakaua Park.
This will be a men-only competition in hula kahiko, 'auana and solo
dance. Women will be allowed in a special, never-held-before Hawaiian
waltz competition featuring Hawaiian language compositions by Queen
Lili'uokalani and others.
To this favorite son of Hawai'i, we send our congratulations with a
heartfelt "e hana hou, hana hou, Uncle George"
The Olliephonics
Catch "The Big Island's Littlest Big Band," at the center
court of the Keauhou Shopping Center on Wednesday, Dec. 20 (6-8 p.m.).
The Olliephonics, under the direction of renowned trumpeter Ollie Mitchell
and featuring Joe Mackie and Betsy Curtis on vocals, will perform a
special holiday concert.
Big band, jazz and blues fans are looking forward to a highly anticipated
homecoming of sorts when this 14-piece (more or less) band returns to
the newly renovated Blue Dolphin Night Club in Kawaihae, which is scheduled
to re-open in 2007. For more information check out www.olliephonics.com.
John Keawe
Beautiful Hula Dancer, the newest CD release by this award-winning slack
key artist, is a testament to the simple grace that exists in the windswept
district of Kohala. This project is composed of 12 ki ho'alu instrumentals
and four vocals, all original, each capturing the essence of a man who
is comfortable and at peace in the land of his birth, with the woman
that he loves at his side. The title cut, "Beautiful Hula Dancer,"
was written for his wife, Hope, who often performs with him onstage.
Keawe says, "She dances with such grace and honesty!"
Other titles speak of the cowboy lifestyle ("Hana Pipi"),
a favorite fishing spot ("Gone Fishing"), a love for the land
of one's birth ("'Aina Hanau") and a chance encounter with
a pueo in the Volcano area ("Aloha Pueo").
Keawe's music paints a picture of the endless possibilities that exist
in these islands. Relaxing and reassuring, Beautiful Hula Dancer is
a perfect gift for the one that you love.
Keawe performs at the Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi on December 15 and 16;
at Tante's bar and Grill in Kamuela on December 17 and 22; and on Christmas
Day at the Waikoloa King's Shops. Hopefully, his beautiful hula dancer
will be there, too. For show times, check out www.johnkeawe.com
Aloha Kalikimaka a hui hou, as the beat goes on…
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