‘Last Hawaiian princess’ dies at the age of 96

The so-called last member of Hawaii’s royal family passed away on Sunday.

According to a Monday morning announcement, Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawnanakoa, the last Hawaiian princess whose lineage traced back to the royal dynasty that formerly ruled the islands, passed away quietly at the age of 96 close to her wife, who was 69.

Kawnanakoa was known for her devotion and generosity to the island, as well as her $215 million trust from her family’s sugar plantation company and her successful enthusiasm for breeding racehorses.

Before the collapse of the Hawaiian monarchy by American businessmen in 1893, she was a living emblem of the monarchy despite holding no formal title.

“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,” said her wife, Veronica Gail Kawnanakoa, in a statement. “I will miss her with all my heart.

Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinipine Bright was wed to her great-grandfather James Campbell, an Irish businessman and one of Hawaii’s wealthiest landowners who became wealthy in the sugar cane industry. Their daughter subsequently wed Prince David Kawnanakoa, who was named a throne heir.

Abigail was born in Honolulu to Lydia Kamaka’eha Liliu’okulani Kawnanakoa Morris, the daughter of the prince and his wife Abigail Wahiika’ahu’ula Campbell.

Abigail’s ability to call herself a princess was bolstered when the prince died and his widow adopted their grandchild, though she revealed to Honolulu Magazine in 2021 that if monarchy had remained, her cousin would have become the island’s next ruler instead of her.

She said, “Of course, I would be the power behind the throne; there’s no doubt about it.”

Behind her immense fortune, the princess appeared to find amusement when others asked for money.

Jim Wright, her personal attorney until 2017, reported that when the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu asked if she could spare $100,000 to commemorate the canonization of St. Marianne, she only agreed if a photo was taken of Pope Benedict XVI accepting the check.

Wright stated that Kawnanakoa was dissatisfied when the bishop agreed.

“She genuinely hoped they would tell her to buzz off,” Wright said, adding that she was encouraged when the Dalai Lama turned down her money in 2012.

“She was always interested in what people did for money,” said Wright.

Nonetheless, Kawnanakoa gave to numerous organizations, including Native Hawaiian student scholarships, opposition to Honolulu’s rail transit project, and support for rallies against a large telescope.

She even contributed the 14-carat diamond pinky ring worn by King Kalkaua, which was among the many artifacts she handed to the public from the king and queen Kapiolani.

She also helped maintain Iolani Palace, the sole royal home in the United States. The monarchy once resided there, although it currently functions mostly as a museum.

When Kawnanakoa posed on the throne at Iolani Palace for a photo shoot for Life Magazine in 1998, she damaged part of the throne’s fragile threads, which led to her removal as president of Friends of Iolani Palace after more than 25 years in the position.

The American Quarter Horse Association highlighted that she was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2018 as the “all-time leading female breeder at the helm of an organization that has produced earners of more than $10 million.”

One of her horses earned $1 million in the New Mexico All-American Futurity in 1993.

Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, has ordered that the United States and Hawaii flags be flown at half-staff until Sunday.

He stated, “Hawaii mourns this huge loss.”

»‘Last Hawaiian princess’ dies at the age of 96«

Related Posts

The Bitter End: The Untangling of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning

Emir of Kano Urges President-elect Tinubu to Promote Interfaith Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence

Pregnant Woman Arrested for Stabbing Domestic Help Over Unwashed Bag in Lagos

Leave a Reply Cancel reply