The 6th George Na'ope Hula Festival
July 21-22, 2012
Held at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza Sacramento, CA
Presented by: Makanaaloha Group
Sponsored by: www.hawaiianfeathers.com
The Makanaaloha Group and Hawaiianfeathers.com is proud to honor Hula Master, George Lanakilakeikiahiali'i Na'ope, in the new George Na'ope Hula Festival. I have decided to change our festival format to include all groups for this hula competition. Our new format will feature the men (kāne), women (wahine), boys (keiki kāne), girls (kaikamahine), gracious ladies (makuahine), our elder ladies (kupuna wahine), and the elder men (kupuna kāne).
As George Na'ope always said, "the hula is aloha" and we do our very best to keep that alive. 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.
Rick Makanaaloha Kia'imeaokekanaka San Nicolas and the Makanaaloha Group are proud to be the co-founder of this very special event along with George Na'ope. With his passing this October 26, 2009, it is even more important to me to continue this competition in his honor. In 2004 when I asked Uncle George about holding a hula competition here in California in his honor, we spoke about a keiki competition first. Uncle George told me, "Why not do a competition for only men?". I thought about that for a moment and replied to him "You know, you are right. There is not enough emphasis put on the kāne in hula and if I do this event, it can only help". So with that, I have his blessings, his permission to use him name in our event, and the privilege holding the first and only kāne hula competition bearing his name in the world.
In 2011 with careful consideration with my family, our judges, and close friends, I have decided to make our event come "full circle" to be inclusive of all hula categories. We have added the Wahine Division, Gracious Ladies as well as the Kupuna Division. Many halau have asked to be a part of our event and now they can with these new categories added to complete our competition. We have also moved the hula competition to our new home in Old Sacramento at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, Sacramento, CA. We have also considered the dates of the event previously and have found our dates in August fall closer and closer to new start dates for school as they have changed. We are have changed the date of our hula competition on the third weekend of July now and not the second weekend of August any longer. We feel that the festival will be better served with a date that is most convenient for the hula halau that all would like to attend. The date for this next hula festival is July 21 - 22, 2012. Make your plans and Save The Date for the 2012 hula festival and join us for our newly re-organized event.
Come and be a part of this event to honor the last Lo'ea (Hula Master) to a hula generation past, and join us to keep the legacy and traditions of George Na'ope alive.
"Living Golden Treasure" and "Treasure of Hawai'i"
Uncle George's lifelong commitment in sharing aloha, perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through the sharing of his vast knowledge of Hawaiian chants, language, music and hula, sadly ended with his passing on October 26, 2009 at his Waiakea Uka home at the age of 81. George Na'ope will be remembered by many hundreds of thousands of people which he has shared his aloha with all around the world. His hula traditions and teaching methods must live on through many of us now to pay tribute to this hula master, and our last Lo'ea to a hula generation past.
George Na'ope has been recognized by both the Governor and State Legislature of Hawai'i, 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" hula competition), Modesto, CA
2011 - The George Na`ope Hula Festival, Sacramento, CA
Festival Schedule
July 20, Friday Morning - Soloist interviews - hālau check in - stage rehearsal throughout the day. Closed to the public
July 21, Sat. Morning - Doors open to the public at 9:00:00am - Festival Starts at 10:00am - 6:00pm (approx.) Vendors open to public with free admission
July 21 Sat. Evening - Kanikapila in honor of Uncle George in the hotel lobby & lounge. This is an important part of our festival to share the aloha that Uncle George always enjoyed. If you plan to be here with us all, you will see why! Bring your instruments and join us with Hawaiian music and dance for everyone to enjoy. The hotel will be serving food (full lounge menu and specials) until 1:00am and the usual last call for drinks soon to follow. Our music and fun gathering is open to the public and hope to see you all there. Time about 8:00pm until pau
July 22, Sun. Morning - Doors open to the public at 9:00am - Festival starts at 10:00am - 5:00pm (approx.) Vendors open to public with free admission
July 22, Sun. Afternoon - Hula exhibition by our host musicians and Kumu Hula Kawika Alfiche, awards presentation, and closing ceremonies
TICKETS
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!