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Aloha, Uncle George Na’ope

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This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

George Lanakilakekiahiali’i Na’ope was a kumu hula, or hula master, who taught the traditional Hawaiian dance and chanting since the 1940s. Na’ope, who co-founded the Merrie Monarch Festival held annually in Hilo, Hawaii, to celebrate the hula art form, died Oct. 26 at age 81. This video, and others on YouTube.com, give a sense of his personality and spirit of aloha.

A full obituary of ‘Uncle George,’ as he was known to many islanders, will appear later at www.latimes.com/obits.

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-- Claire Noland

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