Family and friends gathered at Hilo's Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium to pay their respects to the late Uncle George Nā'ope. – Photo: T. Ilihia Gionson

Although he stood barely 5 feet tall, George Nā'ope was easy to spot in a crowd. But it wasn't because of his bright clothing and extravagant adornments.

"He could talk to the highest person in the world without forgetting the poorest, and treat them as equals. They used to call him 'menehune,' but he was the tallest man in my life," said student and confidant 'Iwalani Kalima.

George Nā'ope at an 'ūniki at Kē'ē, Kaua'i in 1979. – Photo: Courtesy of Mike Teruya

George Lanakilakeikiahiali'i Nā'ope, iconic kumu hula and resplendent showman renowned the world over, died Oct. 26 at his Waiākea, Hawai'i home. He was 81. He is survived by a brother, three sisters, and a hānai son.

A two-day celebration of Nā'ope's life was held Nov. 6-7 at Hilo's Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, where the Merrie Monarch Festival that he helped to found got its start. His cremated remains were wrapped in kapa and placed in an 'umeke at the front of the Civic, and legions of 'ohana, haumāna, and friends danced and sang in honor of him.

November 6 was also declared Uncle George Nā'ope Day in Hawai'i County by Mayor Billy Kenoi.

"Uncle George's contributions to Hawaiian culture were recognized around the world and his colorful persona was a living tribute to his vision of hula as gesture of international friendship and understanding," Kenoi said. "We were blessed for having Uncle George with us for so many years, and his contributions to our island will reflect positively on his life for many generations to come."

George Nā'ope at the 2009 Merrie Monarch Invitational Craft Fair with Hanulipo, the Merrie Monarch house band. From left, Keli Viernes, Nā'ope, Kēhau Tamure, and Kuana Torres Kahele. – Photo: Nicholas Masagatani

Nā'ope was born February 25, 1928 in Kalihi, O'ahu and raised in Keaukaha, Hawai'i. His career as kumu hula spanned over six decades, teaching in Hawai'i and internationally.

In addition to teaching, Nā'ope was one of the founders of the Merrie Monarch Festival in the 1960s, which blossomed into the premiere hula competition in the world. Hard to miss in his gold, silver, or orange getups, Nā'ope would make his appearances around Hilo town during Merrie Monarch even in his illness.

Nā'ope also helped to found the King David Kalākaua Hula Festival in Kona, the George Nā'ope Northwest Hula Festival in Seattle, Wash., the George Nā'ope Kāne Hula Festival in Modesto, Calif., as well as the George Nā'ope Kāne Hula Festival in Hilo.

In April 2008, Nā'ope underwent treatment for cancer that included removing part of his lung. The operation left Nā'ope too weak to undergo more surgery to remove a brain tumor, and in September 2008 he came back home to Hilo.

During the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival, George Nā'ope jams with friends at Kumu Hula 'Iwalani Kalima's Hula Hālau Kou Lima Nani Ē in Keaukaha, Hawai'i. – Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

Nā'ope's influence was most visible in events and institutions, but he also made a profound impact on individuals.

Nā'ope was a part of 'Iwalani Kalima's life for over four decades. Kalima, kumu hula of Keaukaha's Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani Ē, got her palapala from Nā'ope and was a lifelong student, kāko'o, and confidant.

Kalima said that Nā'ope always taught his haumāna "how to be who we are, and how to be proud of who we are. He was a proud descendant of Hāloa – a true kanaka maoli."

Sharing in Uncle's final days was Skylark Rossetti, host of OHA's Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino radio show and a close friend of Nā'ope's for years.

"(His passing is) not something we didn't know was going to happen, we just didn't know when," Rossetti said. "We were all summoned to his side last week and able to joke and laugh and share good memories. We saw the side of him that we all loved, that spark, that twinkle in his eyes, that wit and humor."

Rossetti's co-host on Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, Kimo Kaho'āno, also shared his memories of a vibrant Uncle George. "George just had a great spirit. When you talk about George, you cannot talk anything slow and low – no! We gotta talk about the colors and the brightness and the intelligence!," he said.

With all that he's done in his life, "there isn't one of us who doesn't have a special George Nā'ope memory," Rossetti said.

"Everyone who will dance hula in his style is his legacy," Rossetti said. "He touched so many people with hula. Whether they from Japan, Mexico, Russia, Keaukaha, or Kaua'i, we've all had that special magic moment with Uncle."

"That we need to carry forward and share it with the world."