Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona Jr. said he and his family, especially those in Hilo, were deeply saddened by the passing of "Auntie Dottie" Thompson.

Thompson, co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, died last night in Hilo at the age of 88.
"Critical to the future of life in these islands is the perpetuation of our host culture , and through the art of hula and the Merrie Monarch Festival, Auntie Dottie established a legacy that will live on for generations to come," Aiona said in a statement released this afternoon.