It’s official — a building at the Ho‘olulu complex that houses the Merrie Monarch Festival office will be named in honor of Dorothy Thompson, its former director.
It’s official — a building at the Ho‘olulu complex that houses the Merrie Monarch Festival office will be named in honor of Dorothy Thompson, its former director.
The County Council voted 9-0 Wednesday in favor of a bill to officially call the building the Aunty Dottie Thompson Hale. The building is adjacent to Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale.
Thompson oversaw the transformation of Merrie Monarch into a world-class hula competition as its executive director from 1968 until her death in 2010. She also was a Department of Parks and Recreation employee for more than 30 years.
The festival is directed by her daughter, Luana Kawelu.
During the meeting, the Council also voted to name a ball field at Honokaa Park after Lala Epenesa Jr., a parks maintenance supervisor from 2010 until his death in January.
Additionally, the Council gave final approval to allowing farmers markets at the Pahoa District Park.
