HAWAIIAN WORD OF THE DAY: “”Na`auao”---“Wisdom, enlightenment”---Pronounce this “Nah-ow-aoh” (This last vowel group needs to be demonstrated by a speaker of the Hawaiian language, because it can’t be represented clearly otherwise).
Here is some of Uncle George Nā`ope's freely shared wisdom about hula, which he mastered early in his life and devoted himself to thereafter. He lived from 1928 to 2009, and the breadth of his knowledge spanned chants, ancient hula, modern hula, and the language.
The upcoming George Nā`ope Hula Festival in Sacramento, California, July 14-16, is named after this extraordinary man. As a newly returning student of hula in 2001, I carefully wrote down his words at the 2001 World Hula Festival in Hilo. Here are some of his comments which I recorded:
- “Without hula there would be no Hawai`i.”
- “Do search your heart and live aloha. Be kind. Treat others well. Right is in your heart.”
- “The whole world wants what we have (hula). Share it, don’t sell it.”
- “Fine isn’t good enough (in hula). It should be wonderful!”
- “Don’t be afraid to ask questions (about hula).”
In addition to being both knowledgeable and wise, Uncle George had a special sense of style. If he had been a bird, he might have been a peacock. I was so impressed by his attire in 2001, I wrote down the elements of his outfit: “Uncle (George) was gorgeous. He wore orange socks and gold Converse high-tops, orange board shorts, an orange and white shirt, and a lauhala hat with an orange feather lei. He wore at least four maile lei, and multiple rings with diamonds on his hands.” He also wore a happy smile---it was clear he enjoyed his role as a hula educator! I am so fortunate to have been able to listen to his wisdom.