'Last Hawaiian Princess' Abigail Kawananakoa Dead at 96: 'Remembered for Her Love of Hawaii'
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher/AP/Shutterstock
Hawaii is mourning the death of Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, a renowned philanthropist and one of the last descendants of its monarchy. She was 96.
Kawananakoa died peacefully on Sunday night at her Nu'uanu home with her wife Veronica by her side, according to a release from the Iolani Palace in Honolulu.
"Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawai'i and its people," Veronica said in a statement. "I will miss her with all of my heart."
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Kawananakoa was a member of the royal house of Kawananakoa, which held close ties to the island nation's last two reigning monarchs, King Kalākaua and Queen Liliu'okulani. While she held no formal title she was a living reminder of the monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity.
She was also one of Hawaii's largest landowners, reported the Associated Press.
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Courtesy Becker Communications
Born on April 23, 1926, as the only daughter and child of Princess Lydia Kamaka'eha Liliu'okulani Kawananakoa Morris and William Jeremiah Ellerbrock, Kawananakoa was adopted at the age of 5 by her maternal grandmother, Her Royal Highness Abigail Wahiika'ahu'ula Campbell Kawananakoa.
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Throughout her life, she gave generously to many causes, including the restoration and preservation of the Iolani Palace, which now serves as a museum, added the palace release.
The princess also strongly supported the revival of the Hawaiian language through her multiple foundations, provided education scholarships for children and helped pay the medical bills of those in need, it added. Prior to her death, she established three foundations in her name so her philanthropy could continue after her.
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"Jaime and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa," Hawaii Gov. Josh Green posted on Facebook. "Abigail bore the weight of her position with dignity and humility, enriched the lives of everyone she touched, and like so many Aliʻi who came before her, she has left a legacy dedicated to her people in perpetuity. Hawaiʻi mourns this great loss, and our aloha and heartfelt condolences go out to her entire ʻohana and all who had the privilege of knowing Princess Abigail Kawananakoa."
Green ordered U.S. flags and the Hawaii state flag to be flown half-staff until Sunday.
