George Naʻope Hawaiian Cultural Center
The George Naʻope Hawaiian Cultural Center has long been a dream of Uncle George Lanakilakeikiahialiʻi Naʻope. Uncle George began his hula studies at the age of three and dedicated his life to the hula arts. He has traveled the world as chanter, dancer, singer, performer, recording artist and teacher of Hawaiian music and dance. He has long been regarded a premier kumu hula and officially recognized as a State of Hawaiʻi Golden Island Treasure.
In 2006 Uncle George was the recipient of the National Endowment of the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award recognizing him as a National Treasure, as well as the Governor’s Fine Arts Award, and Lifetime Achievement Awards from Na Hoku Hanohano, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Bureau. He is co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival, which is considered to be the Olympics of Hula, as well as the founder or inspiration for hula festivals around the world.
Mary Naʻope named George before his birth. Uncle interprets his name, Lanakilakeikiahialiʻi, as “the light that would lead the way” or “protector of things of Hawaiʻi”. In keeping with his name, he is passionately committed to creating a hula center in Hilo, where hula and related arts can be celebrated, learned, shared and preserved including Holani, a hula archive honoring many Na kumu hula (teachers), the many songs, chants and dances of these islands.
Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E, Inc is also passionately committed to making this Center a reality, by creating fundraising activities and promotions. Donations of all kinds for the George Na’ope Hawaiian Cultural Center are very welcome and will be acknowledged as a charitable contribution. We will be happy to send a gift of a 2009 limited edition George Naʻope calendar for donations of $15 or more, Uncle George t-shirts for donations of $20 or more or for $30 or more both the calendar and t-shirt.
Checks may be made out to:
Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E, Inc.
61 Andrews Ave.
Hilo, HI 96720