Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa

Her Royal Highness Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, often referred to as the "Last Hawaiian Princess," was a prominent figure in 20th and 21st-century Hawaiian royalty and a staunch advocate for Native Hawaiian culture and sovereignty. Born on April 23, 1926, to HRH Princess Lydia Liliʻuokalani Kawānanakoa and William Jeremiah Ellerbrock, she was a direct descendant of the Kalākaua Dynasty, the last reigning monarchy of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Her lineage connected her to King David Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani, as well as Queen Liliʻuokalani, through her great-grandniece status. Her great-grandparents were High Chief David Kahalepoʻuli Piʻikoi and HRH Princess Mary Kinoiki Kekaulike, governor of Hawaiʻi. She was also the great-great-great granddaughter of Kaumualiʻi, the last independent king of Kauaʻi before its peaceful integration into the Hawaiian Kingdom.

In accordance with traditional Hawaiian custom, Princess Abigail was adopted at an early age by her maternal grandmother, HRH Princess Abigail Wahiʻikaʻahuʻulu Campbell Kawānanakoa. This *malu hanai* (traditional adoption) ensured her upbringing in the regal atmosphere of Hawaiian nobility, enriching her cultural awareness and instilling in her a profound sense of *kuleana* (responsibility) and *noblesse oblige*. This unique upbringing elevated her to the generation of her mother, solidifying her role in perpetuating the royal line and making her the embodiment and caretaker of the Royal Family of Hawaiʻi. She was the senior representative of the Royal House of Kawānanakoa and the closest living blood relation to King David Kalākaua.

Princess Abigail's life was dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Native Hawaiian language, culture, and arts. She was a significant philanthropist, channeling her vast wealth—inherited from her great-grandfather, industrialist James Campbell—into numerous initiatives. Her most prominent charitable effort was the monumental restoration and preservation of ʻIolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States. She continued the work initiated by her mother, Princess Lydia Liliuʻokalani Kawānanakoa Morris, who founded The Friends of ʻIolani Palace. Princess Abigail served as President of The Friends for nearly 30 years, providing substantial financial support, including covering the Palace’s electricity bills for many years and donating numerous family artifacts and historical items. These gifts, such as the Kalākaua Diamond and a set of bowls given to King Kalākaua on his 50th birthday, are now displayed in the Kawānanakoa Legacy Gallery at the Palace.

Her commitment extended to the revitalization of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). She was a long-time financial supporter and vocal proponent of the ʻAha Pūnana Leo Hawaiian immersion program, receiving the Kamakia Award in 2007 for her patronage. She also played a crucial role in the perpetuation of hula, providing initial financing for the Merrie Monarch Festival and regularly attending as a living representative of the Kalākaua Dynasty. Her presence at the festival commanded immense respect, honoring the legacy of King David Kalākaua. She nurtured relationships with other Polynesian royals, attending the Polynesian Heritage Trust in Rarotonga in 1984 to represent Hawaiʻi.

Princess Abigail's *kuleana* also encompassed the care of Mauna ʻAla, the Royal Mausoleum, where many of her family members are interred. She funded its first long-range plan, was a proud member of Malama Mauna ʻAla, and sponsored a major landscaping improvement project in 2022, ensuring the proper acknowledgment of her ancestors and the sacredness of the site. She also supported various Aliʻi Legacy Trusts and Palaces, including Queen's Hospital, Lunalilo Home, Queen Liliʻuokalani Childrenʻs Centers, and Bishop Museum.

Through her three foundations—The Abigail K. Kawānanakoa Foundation, Na Lei Aliʻi Foundation, and The Abigail K. K. Kawānanakoa Foundation—she provided scholarships, medical support for children, and funding for the preservation of Hawaiian artifacts and cultural practices. She also contributed to the establishment of the James and Abigail Campbell Park and pledged a significant sum to the Dr. Agnes Kalanihoʻokaha Cope Native Hawaiian Traditional Healing Center, which named "The Princess Trail & Lookout" in her honor. Her generosity also extended to the Kānewai Cultural Resource Center and the Mānoa District Park Pool, demonstrating her broad commitment to Hawaiian well-being and cultural institutions.

Princess Abigail consistently advocated for a ceremonial return to monarchy, believing the *aliʻi* had a vital role in representing and caring for the Hawaiian people. She was raised in the royal court, experiencing firsthand the traditions of tribute and respect. She saw it as her *kuleana* to represent Hawaiʻi abroad, searching for royal artifacts to return home and commissioning four volumes of Hawaiian history. She firmly believed that "A Hawaiian must tell the story" of Hawaiʻi. She also envisioned a role for a restored monarchy similar to the British constitutional monarchy, exerting financial influence and speaking with authority on issues affecting Hawaiians.

Despite her desire for privacy, Princess Abigail became an outspoken advocate for Hawaiian issues from 1986, endorsing John Waiheʻe, the first Native Hawaiian governor. She passionately addressed topics such as reparations, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, crown lands, and the Thirty Meter Telescope. She donated millions to support Hawaiian advancement, education, and healthcare, particularly for young Hawaiians, emphasizing the importance of their cultural identity in the modern world. She passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022, at her Nuʻuanu home, leaving behind a profound legacy as a royal philanthropist and a tireless champion of Native Hawaiian culture and sovereignty. Her life exemplified a deep commitment to her heritage and a vision for the future of her people.