Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi's office issued a statement on the passing of "Aunty Dottie" Thompson, calling it "the end of an era for our community and for the hula world."

Thompson died yesterday in Hilo at the age of 88.
"Best known as the executive director and co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival for 47 years, she was a visionary who embodied the heart and soul of the festival and worked tirelessly for many years to build the Merrie Monarch Festival into the world's premier celebration of Hawaiian culture and hula," the statement said. "She will be greatly missed."