“Heritage dictates that I must take care of the Hawaiian people,” said Abigail Kawānanakoa
Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, also known as the “last princess” of Hawaii, has died at the age of 96.
The princess, known to her friends as Kekau, was one of the last living links to the royal family and was well-loved for her philanthropic support of traditional Hawaiian culture.
The heiress died peacefully at her home in Honolulu on Sunday, with the cause of death not yet known, and her wife by her side, according to a statement released by Iolani Palace, the royal family’s historic home.
“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,” said her wife, Veronica Gail Kawānanakoa. “I will miss him with all my heart.”
Abigail Kawānanakoa was born in Honolulu in 1926 and later attended school in Shanghai and California.
Her great wealth, estimated at $215 million (£175 million), came from her great-grandfather, James Campbell, an Irish businessman who owned a sugar plantation.
Her grandmother Abigail Kawānanakoa married Prince David Kawānanakoa, who was third in line to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii when the royal family was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.
At the time, the role of US citizens in the coup was controversial, and President Grover Cleveland called their participation in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy a “disgrace”.
After the prince’s death in 1908, his widow adopted their grandchild through the traditional Hawaiian custom of “hānai”, which strengthened Abigail’s claim to the informal title of princess.
While some have claimed that Princess Kawānanakoa had the strongest royal ties to Hawaii, a separate branch of the former royal family claims that Princess Owana Ka’ohelelani is the rightful head of the modern dynasty.
Mrs. Kawānanakoa herself admitted in a 2021 interview with Honolulu Magazine that if the monarchy had survived, her cousin Edward Kawānanakoa would have been in line to rule before her, based on the rules of succession.
“Of course I would be the power behind the throne, there’s no doubt about that,” he joked in that interview.
Ms. Kawānanakoa funded scholarships for Native Hawaiians and helped maintain Iolani Palace, which is now a museum.
The Abigail KK Kawananakoa Foundation, established in 2001, allocated $100 million of her wealth to support needs in Hawaii after her death, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
However, Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte told local media that her impact on native culture was minimal. “We didn’t quite understand what her role was and how she could help us,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole and Representative Daniel Holt, leaders of Hawaii’s members of the US House, applauded her generosity and contributions, which they said have greatly helped the island’s culture and community.
Her own views on the matter have been clear, and in a 2019 court appearance regarding the management of her estate, she told the judge that “heritage dictates that I must take care of the Hawaiian people.”
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
