'Last Hawaiian princess' Abigail Kawananakoa dies, aged 96; had $215 million in wealth

[shenmue]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63956634

She promoted traditional Hawaiian culture.

From the article:

"Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people," said her wife, Veronica Gail Kawānanakoa. "I will miss her with all of my heart."

[mahina]

1. I think Kai Markell said it best

Last edited Tue Dec 13, 2022, 04:59 PM - Edit history (1)

Aue! Ua pau kekahi wā

From Kai:

Abigail "Kekau" Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa
Ua hala...
She has passed...

I remember years ago, a Beautiful friend, a Hawaiian woman who was a single Mother, struggling to survive, car falling apart, Homestead house old and dilapidated, and so stressed at work that her health was precarious, just trying to survive and take care of her children and grandchildren the best she could.

She was also a fierce advocate for protecting all things Kanaka 'Ōiwi and important to our Lāhui.

She reached out to Kekau for help like so many others. She called her number in the phone book, scheduled an appointment and visited with Kekau at her offices.

After explaining her dire situation, Kekau wrote her a check for $10,000 on the spot. No strings attached. No conditions. Just continue to do her best to protect and save all things Hawaiian.

It was life changing for her.

Many others, probably in the hundreds, approached Kekau for the same reasons and received similar financial assistance.

It isn't spoken of much by the recipients due to the inherent shame many feel for having had to ask for financial assistance, nor was it publicized for accolades by Kekau and her 'ohana.

Just small quiet gestures to kāko'o another in truly dire need.

That is what I will always remember about Kekau.

O ka pono ke hana 'ia a iho mai nā lani.
Continue to do good until the Heavens come down to you.

Me ka moe maluhia...
Me ke Aloha...
Rest in Peace...
With Love...

—-
Oh, that headline is atrocious! To put money in the headline of her passing. I wonder if they even considered how violent it is imagine Queen Elizabeth headline that way, or any of ours for that matter. Well I guess some of us wouldn’t mind but it is so reductive

[Kid Berwyn]

3. "Aloha Spirit"

Was the phrase Opihimoimoi taught me about what resides in good people.

[mahina]

5. I miss Opihimoimoi. He was lots of fun

He had a very cool aquaponics setup at home too but I don’t think he cultivated opihi or moi. Moi, the weirdest fish.

[Jeebo]

2. The movie "Princess Kaiulani"

Wasn't the Hawaiian princess portrayed in the movie "Princess Kaiulani" the last one? It's been some years since I saw that movie, but as I recall, she would have been the queen if the U.S. hadn't just annexed the islands as a U.S. territory.

This is from the IMDB site:

Victoria Ka'iulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawkin I Lunalilo Cleghorn [1875-1899] (played by Q'orianka Kilcher) was one of the last heirs to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii, named as successor to Queen Liliuokalani (played by Leo Anderson Akana), Kaiulani's aunt. Kaiulani's mother Likelike was sister to Liliuokalani, who inherited the throne from their brother King Kalakaua (played by Ocean Kaowili) in 1891. Kalakaua, Liliuokalani, and Likelike were descendents of High Chief Kepookalani, first cousin of Kamehameha the Great [c.1758 1819] on the side of Kamehameha's mother Kekuiapoiwa. That's pretty heavy royalty in Hawaiian ancestry. Kaiulani's father was Archibald Cleghorn (played by Jimmy Yuill), a financier from Edinburgh, Scotland.

-- Ron

[inthewind21]

4. Yes

and no. She was the heir to Queen Lili'uoklani. However, she died childless in 1899 ending the dynastic line of succession. You can see the whole lineage history here.

https://www.crownofhawaii.com/sovereigns

[mahina]

6. IMDb is a great source for film information but not for Hawaiian history.

The opposite mostly.

Here’s an interesting interview with Kekau from a few years back.
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-history-of-hawaii-from-our-files-heiress-abigail-kawananakoa/

There are other living Kawananakoas.

Peter T Young is a fabulous popular historian but he has not yet published an article about her that I have seen. Understandably, as her passing is very recent.

Her mo’okuauhau (geneology chant) will be memorable. peace to her and to all.