Mary Kawena Puku`i '24
Kumu, Writer, Composer, Hawaiian Historian
HMA Treasure #1


Mary Kawena-ulaokalani-ahi`lakaikapoliopelekawahine`aihonu Pukui was born in Ka`u on the island of Hawai`i.  Her mother was a native of Ka`u who came from a respected line of medical kahunas and her father was from Salem, Massachusetts, a descendant of 17th century poet.

She spent most of her early childhood years being raised in Ka`u by her maternal grandmother and immersed in her culture.  She spoke only Hawaiian and memorized chants, lore and sayings while learning the hula.  After her grandmother died, she returned to her parents where her mother spoke to her only in Hawaiian and her father only in English.

She was educated at Hawaiian Mission Academy where she graduate in 1924.  In my interview with her in 1969, she told me that she first entered school in 1919 because she was older than most children in the 7th grade and other schools did accept her application except for HMA.  She said that she attended school in a small room at the home of her teacher L. L. Hutchinson on Young Street.  After 8th grade graduation she said "they decided to have a high school and we moved to Keeaumoku Street where we first studied at Professor Giddings home and later at Mr. Warriner's home on Makiki Street".  She told me that "when Professor Giddings handed my diploma to me, I was happy because he was my teacher throughout high school".

Upon graduation she taught Hawaiiana at Punahou and in 1937 went to work for Bishop Museum where she spent most of her time preserving the Hawaii culture.  In 1957, she co-authored the Hawaiian Dictionary along with Samuel Elbert.  She wrote more than 50 books and 150 songs including "Ke Anuenue", "The Boy From Laupahoehoe", Pua Ahihi", and Po La`ila`i".

In 1969 she received HMA's highest honor the Abigail Kawananakoa Award for exceptional service to the people of Hawaii.  In 1971 she was presented the "Hawaii Aloha Award" the most significant award for Hawaiian Music and in 1995 inducted into the Hawaii Music Hall of Fame.  Mary Pukui is a national treasure who will always live in the artistry of her students and in the wealth of knowledge and inspiration recorded in innumerable sources.

Mary died in 1986 at the age of 91.  She will always be remembered a the savior of Hawaiiana, a naturally gifted writer, a noted author and poet, a composer of music, a kumu hula and teacher, a researcher, translator, lexicographer, scholar, genealogist, and a "Treasure of HMA".