Dorothy Mae Elizabeth Soares Thompson (May 16, 1921 – March 19, 2010), widely known as Auntie Dottie, was an American festival organizer, who is credited with co-founding and developing the Merrie Monarch Festival.[1] The Merrie Monarch Festival, which is held in Hilo, is Hawaii's premier hula event.[1] It was developed by Thompson and hula dancer, George Naʻope.[1]
Dorothy Mae Elizabeth Soares was born on May 16, 1921, the youngest of five children. As a sophomore in 1937 she was named best female athlete of Hilo High School. She graduated from President William McKinley High School in Honolulu in 1939. She had four children with her husband Ronald Saiki. Her second husband was George Thompson.[2]
Thompson served as the Merrie Monarch's executive director since 1968 with Naʻope.[1] She remained the festival's head until her death in 2010.[1] Thompson initially had to push hard for funds and media coverage during the festival's early years.[1] Throughout her tenure as director of the festival, Thompson was careful to keep its main focus on hula.[1] She kept admission prices low and resisted efforts to move Merrie Monarch from Hilo's Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium, where it has traditionally been held, to a larger facility.[1]
Mayor of Hawaii Billy Kenoi proclaimed February 13, 2010, as Auntie Dottie Thompson Day.[3]
Dorothy "Auntie Dottie" Thompson died from complications from pneumonia at the Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii[2] on March 19, 2010, at the age of 88.[1][3]
^ abcdefghiAdams, Wanda (2010-03-20). "'Dottie' Thompson put hula on world stage, 88". Honolulu Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2010-03-24. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
^ abSur, Peter (2010-03-20). "Aloha, Aunty Dottie: Merrie Monarch matriarch dies at 88". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
^ abStanton, Karin (2010-03-19). "Dottie Thompson, Merrie Monarch matriarch, dies at 88". Hawaii 24/7. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
Dorothy Mae Elizabeth Soares Thompson (May 16, 1921 – March 19, 2010), widely known as Auntie Dottie, was an American festival organizer, who is credited...
Dottie West (born Dorothy Marie Marsh; October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country singer and songwriter. She also had several credits...
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popularity. DottieThompson took over the festival as executive director, and transformed it into a private community organization. Thompson “wanted to...
actor (Dallas), natural causes. Elinor Smith, 98, American aviator. DottieThompson, 88, American festival organizer, co-founder of the Merrie Monarch...
was in 1977 as drummer for the punk rock band the Germs, under the name Dottie Danger. She was recruited into the band by Lorna Doom, whom she had met...
several characters and storylines from MCU films: Bridget Regan recurs as Dottie Underwood, an early product of the Black Widow program; and Ralph Brown...
Terence Rogers Norman Sakata Barbara Barnard Smith Dorothy "Aunty Dottie" Thompson Wally Yonamine Edwin Mahiai Beamer Dr. Charles P.K.M. Burrows Rev....
Atkins-Campbell; Integrity "Closet Religion"; Churchin' With Dottie; Dottie Peoples; Dottie Peoples; Atlanta International "Drug Me"; Walking By Faith;...
Tubb Leroy Van Dyke Porter Wagoner Billy Walker Charlie Walker Kitty Wells Dottie West Keith Whitley† Slim Whitman The Wilburn Brothers Don Williams Hank...
released an album together in 1969, titled Dottie and Don. He also recorded several duets with Sue Thompson, among these being the Top 40 hits, "I Think...
Revue. While walking through the showroom, Gatlin caught country singer Dottie West's attention, who thought that he resembled Mickey Newbury.[citation...
of Hearts Josh Thompson The Thompson Brothers Band Mel Tillis Aaron Tippin Steve Vaus Porter Wagoner Clay Walker Steve Wariner Dottie West Lari White...
and on television escalated from 1996 onward. Spybey was the character Dottie in Greg the Bunny, was in the main cast for the first season of Remember...
the life and career of Cline's friend Dottie West debuted on CBS titled, Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story. It included several scenes...
Reubens. He is referred to as "PW" and the role of Pee-wee's girlfriend "Dottie" is played by Morgan Fairchild. While contracted to Fox, Brolin had three...
girl, who was then flown to safety. Upon returning to the LZ Dottie base in his OH-23, Thompson reported to his section leader, Captain Barry Lloyd, that...
fifteen. Nine artists (Barbara Mandrell, Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Merle Haggard, Parton and Willie Nelson)...
again despite her growing popularity as an animal person. Dipstick's mate, Dottie, gives birth to three puppies: Domino, Little Dipper, and Oddball, who appears...
Jesse Donald "Uncle Jimmy" Thompson (1848 – February 17, 1931) was an American old-time fiddle player and singer-songwriter. He is best remembered as the...
Alex Kubik as Corey; Kevin Hagen as Farmer Perkins. Celebrity speed trap: Dottie West, who performs "Even If You Were Jesse James" at the Boar's Nest. 55...