NPAF Artist Presents Hula Festival in Sacramento

Sacramento, CA, July 11, 2014 --(PR.com)-- In conjunction with The Makanaaloha Group, Rick Makanaaloha Kia‘imeaokekanaka San Nicolas will launch the 8th year of The George Na'ope Hula Festival in Old Town Sacramento from July 19-20. Rick Makanaaloha Kia‘imeaokekanaka San Nicolas, the debut artist, is with the National Parks Arts Foundation as the first at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Artist in Residence, through the NPAF.

The artist, whose bold and beautiful feather work is currently on display at the Volcano House in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and other prominent locations, will have his work on exhibit and for collection at the The George Na'ope Hula Festival from July 19-20 at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Old Town Sacramento. Admission for the entire festival is $6 -$10 for Children and $12-$17 for adults daily.

The George Na'ope Hula Festival continues the legacy of the ancient art of hula by including all categories for hula such as keiki, kane and wahine. The Wahine and Kane categories will also include Makuahine (gracious ladies), Kupuna wahine, and makuakane (elder men) and hula solo and hula group performances. All qualifying categories (3 halau or more to qualify a category) will have one first place award. Four halau entered in any category will have a runner up award and first place, 5 halau and more in any category will have a third place award, a runner up, and a first place winner.

San Nicolas is an established long-time resident of Modesto but he grew up in Hawai‘i, and is founder of the George Na‘ope Hula Festival. He was recently bestowed with the title of Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, “Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i” by another celebrated cultural icon, Kumu Hula John Kaha‘i Topolinski.

Rick San Nicolas donated an original limited reproduction lei hulu (feather lei) to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park about the festival’s namesake Uncle George Lanakilakekiahiali‘i Na‘ope. The original lei hulu, called Lei Kamoe, was commissioned for the celebrated Kumu Hula (Hula Master) whose life work was keeping the Hawaiian culture and traditions alive. The original adorned the ‘umeke, or gourd urn, that holds Uncle George’s remains.

National Parks Arts Foundation developed the Artist-in-Residence program as a way for artists to be inspired and appreciate the culture of our national parks, while giving back to the public. The NPAF programs are proposed for 15 locations in national parks and World Heritage Sites. For information, visit the NPAF website: www.nationalparkartsfoundation.org.

The NPAF believes in the promotion and recognition of the artists NPAF works with, but did not coordinate nor is affiliated with the George Na‘ope Hula Festival directly.

Festival Information : http://www.kanehulafestival.com/index.htm

For national recognition of Rick Makanaaloha Kia‘imeaokekanaka San Nicolas: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/240193/new-video-landing-page?clipId=10105735&topVideoCatNo=91610&autoStart=true