Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 6, 1 June 2010 — Celebrating music, hula and Uncle George [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Celebrating music, hula and Uncle George

By Jennifer Armstrong KaWai Ola

This year's Big Island Music Festival will be special in so many ways. For one, hula will be a new feature in this festival, whieh annually celebrates Hawaiian music and the renowned artists of Hawai'i Island. But by far the biggest element will be the tribute to the late Unele George Lanakilakeikiahiali'i Nā'ope, a beloved cultural treasure.

Unele George Na'ope died Oct. 26, 2009, at the age of 81 in his home in Hilo. His passing left a huge hole in the Hawaiian hula and music industry, but as music celebrates life in these islands, the festival will celebrate his life. The festival, previously known as a slack key guitar festival, was broadened this year by the suggestion of Unele George. "Unele George told me, 'Why don't you include hula in the festival?' He said both music and hula go hand-in-hand," said Ben Kaili, musician and organizer of the festival. And indeed Kaili listened, embracing

hula into the mix. "We want to try to use this as

a tool for every hālai and musician on this island to bring back Hawaiian music to the Big Island," he said. "The Big Island is where it's at. This is where the heart and soul of Hawaiian music is." A

The 21 st annual festival will take plaee in Hilo at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and will feature authentic Hawaiian music - including 'ukulele, slackkey and steel guitar,

and falsetto singing. The East Hawai'i Cultural Center has put together an impressive lineup featuring musicians such as Cyril Pahinui, Kunia Galdeira, Diana Aki and hula hālau, including the late Ray Fonseca's Hālau Hula Kahikilaulani. Aside from the entertainment, festival goers ean enjoy various 'ukulele and guitar workshops at the East Hawai'i Cultural Center. The workshops will cater to beginners and advanced musicians alike with lessons ranging from slack key by Kaili to * contemporary 'ukulele by Brittni Paiva. ■ >

Big lsland Music Festival Sat. anel Sun., July 10 anel 11; noon-6 p.m. Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium • $20 at the door, $15 advanced, $10 for kūpuna and students, freeforchildren 8and under 808-935-9085

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he late Unele George Nō'ope will be honored at the Hawai'i lsland llusic Festival. - Ptioto : Courtesv of East Hawai'i Cultural Center