The last Hawaiian 'princess' passes away at age 96

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa

The last alii, Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, died Sunday, Dec. 11 at the age of 96.

Alii is the Hawaiian title given to a royal ruler and was given to her more as a sign of respect than for any formal power. Many Hawaiians referred to Abigail Kawananakoa as the last Hawaiian princess whose lineage includes the royal family that once ruled the islands. 

Her death was announced Monday morning outside ʻIolani Palace, America’s only royal residence, where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled but now serves mostly as a museum.

Paula Akana, executive director of the palace, and Hailama Farden, of Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi, a royal Hawaiian society, both walked down the palace steps and driveway in the rain to make the announcement in Hawaiian.

She died peacefully in her Honolulu home with her wife, Veronica Gail Kawānanakoa, at her side, according to a press release.

James Campbell, Abegail Kawānanakoa's great-grandfather, was an Irish businessman who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaii’s largest landowners.

Born in Honolulu, Kawānanakoa was educated at Punahou, a prestigious prep school. She also attended an American school in Shanghai and graduated from the all-female Notre Dame High School in Belmont, California, where she was a boarding student.

“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawai‘i and its people,” her 69-year-old wife said in a statement, “and I will miss her with all of my heart.”

Kawānanakoa held no formal title but was a living reminder of Hawaii’s monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity that endured after the kingdom was illegally overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.

She had inherited a fortune of $215 million, the most of which was in a foundation benefiting Hawaiian culture such as student scholarships and upkeep of the palace. Trustees of foundation will continue that mission.

Gov. Josh Green ordered the US and Hawaii state flags to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol and state offices until sunset this Sunday, saying “Hawaii mourns this great loss.”

"Abigail bore the weight of her position with dignity and humility, enriched the lives of everyone she touched," he continued, "and like so many Aliʻi who came before her, she has left a legacy dedicated to her people in perpetuity."

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