George Naope, the Hilo-based kumu hula who is co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival, is one of 11 recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the NEA's highest honor in folk and traditional arts.

Naope will receive $20,000 for his contributions to hula. Other winners, from eight other states, are carvers, weavers, musicians and storytellers.

Naope earlier this year was named a Na Hoku Hanohano Award Lifetime Achievement honoree and also received a Music Foundation of Hawai'i Legacy Award.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.