George Ainsley Kananiokeakua Holokai, a noted kumu hula, dancer, singer and musician, died Thursday night at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center. He was 76.

His Hawaiian name means "the beauty of god," and to many hula disciples, he was a master dedicated to hula artistry, studying with many experts during his time, mentoring and instructing former haumana (students) who would eventually launch their own hula halau.

His break-out students include Keali'i Reichel, the popular singer-entertainer and kumu hula of Halau Ke'alaokamaile; Sonny Ching, kumu of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, and Rich Pedrina, kumu of Halau Hula 'O Napunaheleonapua.

Reichel was in Indiana yesterday and unavailable for comment; Ching also was not available. But Pedrina, who was a caregiver for Holokai for the past years, was at his bedside when he died and reflected on Holokai's spirit.

"He lived his life as hula — everything he did revolved around hula," said Pedrina. "He had a bad heart, but he also had cancer. He knew (his end was near) so he called all his haumana and asked them to come see him. So I said my goodbyes. I spent time with him."

Pedrina said, "Uncle George was a very private person who didn't share much of his personal life with a lot of other people. But we had a strong bond. He'd open up occasionally and share his feelings."

Pedrina said Holokai's mentorship helped him shape his own halau. "His guidance included cultural protocol, tradition of hula. He shared a lot, about what is proper, what is right."

Holokai's passing was yet another loss for the Hawaiian community.

"2006 is becoming a year devious for wrapping its arms of death around dear members of our Hawaiian music company," said Hailama V.K.K. Farden, kumu 'olelo Hawai'i at Kamehameha Schools and a member of the prolific Farden family of entertainers.

"Uncle George was a gentle spirit," said Maile Loo, a founder of the Hula Preservation Society, which worked on a videotaped oral history with Holokai to preserve his spirit and his work. "We always loved his smile and his beautiful face; he was not someone who would be first to speak out or first to stand out, because he was humble. But he was filled with amazing know-ledge — and he readily shared with those lucky enough to hear him."

Holokai became an ally of the Hula Preservation Society after longtime colleague Winona Beamer helped recruit him. The organization has mounted three tributes for him, including a 2003 Celebration of the Arts Lifetime Achievement recognition, a 2004 salute as part of the King Kamehameha Hula Competition and a surprise birthday bash in 2005 to mark his 75th birthday.

Holokai had roots in Papakolea and was a hula protege of and alaka'i (leader) for Tommy Hiona. He also learned the art of dance from his mother, Auntie Alice Holokai, and Namakahelu of Moanalua.

He sang, danced and taught Hawaiian music and dance through his Holokai Dance Studio as well as with the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

In 1955, he was selected by kumu hula Lillian Maka'ena to impart her knowledge prior to her death. Under her guidance, he was forbidden to drink alcohol or even marry, according to hulapreservation.org.

He also informally studied hula under such veteran luminaries as Mary Kawena Puku'i, Pat Namaka Bacon, Pele Suganuma and Daddy Bray, and he considered his hula as an extension of Tommy Hiona's style.

Holokai operated a hula studio on Beretania Street in the 1940s and '50s. In the '60s, he mastered the 'ukulele and was a favored guitar player as well. In recent years, he often conducted workshops to share his knowledge and style of hula.

To Hawaiian music fans, he also is remembered as one of original Lei Kukui Serenaders, performing with the late Kawai Cockett.

Holokai was born July 2, 1930, in Honolulu.

Evening funeral services will be held Nov. 20 at Hawaiian Memorial Park; gravesite services are set for Nov. 21. Other details are pending.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.