2008 George Na`ope Kāne Hula Festival
2008 George Na`ope Keiki Hula Festival
The Fourth Annual
George Na`ope Kāne Hula Festival
& The First Annual
George Na`ope Keiki Hula Festival
Presented the Makanaaloha Group
Sponsored by www.hawaiianfeathers.com
Our Non-profit Sponsor
Na`alehu Theatre & Museum
The Makanaaloha Group is proud to present Hula Master, George Lanakilakeikiahiali`i Na`ope, and the Fourth Annual Kāne Hula Festival. This is the first event of its kind that feature the men (kāne) in a hula competition, what is the heart and soul of Hawaiian tradition, the hula. Along with the Kāne Hula Festival, this year we will start the George Na`ope Keiki Hula Festival, to be held at the Modesto Centre Plaza in Modesto, California, August 9, 10, 2008. This is the first and only annual keiki hula competition held here on the Mainland US. Come and join us to be a part of showcasing the future of the hula tradition, our keiki. Uncle George is very excited about this event starting her in California. The only running keiki hula competitions are successfully held in Hawai`i, and now the opportunity for the Mainland halau to feature your keiki is here, locally (or Mainland) without the expense of air travel. This festival will grow into an annual event that will be an anchor for keiki hula competition. A special mahalo to Hawaiianfeathers.com for sponsoring this event. The aloha shared by the Makanaaloha Group & Hawaiianfeathers.com makes this event possible to bring to you.
The Makanaaloha Group is honored to have Uncle George Na`ope's blessings as well as his permission, each year, to hold the Kāne Hula Festival, and the Keiki Hula Festival in his name. It is our distinct privilege to have Uncle George attend as our guest of honor to oversee the Festival as Hawaiian traditions are perpetuated through the sharing of hula and aloha in his honor.
"Living Golden Treasure" and "Treasure of Hawai`i"
Uncle George's lifelong commitment to perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through the sharing of his vast knowledge of Hawaiian chants, language, and hula has been recognized by both the Governor and State Legislature of Hawaii, and the President of the United States. He was honored with the "Living Golden Treasure" designation by the Governor and State Legislation of Hawai`i in 1960, and named in the Smithsonian Institute as a "Treasure of Hawai`i" by President George Bush, Sr.
Keeping Hula "Alive"
Uncle George has been instrumental in keeping the hula alive throughout the world by establishing hula hālau (school), hula festivals, and hula associations including:
1946 - The first hula hālau, Hilo, HI
1963 - The Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, HI
1968 - The Hui O Nā Kumu Hula Association in Seattle, WA
1978 - The Tokyo Hula Association in Tokyo, Japan
1979 - The King David Kalākaua Hula Festival in Kailua-Kona, HI
1998 - The George Na`ope NW Hula Invitational in Seattle, WA
2005 - The George Na`ope Kāne Hula Festival (the first ever "Kāne only" event), Modesto, CA
2008 - The George Na`ope Keiki Hula Festival (the only keiki hula competition on the "Mainland"), Modesto, CA
Festival Schedule
August 9, Sat. Morning - Doors Open at 9:30:00am - Festival Starts as 11:00am
August 10, Sun. Morning - Doors Open at 9:30am Festival Starts at 11:00am
August 10, Sun. Evening - Tahitian exhibition, awards presentation, closing ceremonies and kanikapila to follow honoring Uncle George in the open lounge at the hotel
Help support our event by purchasing your travel with Hawaiian Airlines!
We gain travel points and miles when you purchase with Hawaiian Air through the above link, which can be used to purchase air fare for our judges travel to Modesto, CA each year. You don't give up any of your miles, we just gain from your support! These fares are discounted by way of the Preferred Partners Program, the lowest internet fares available. Mahalo for your support!
