Six Native Hawaiian women were recognized by name in a U.S. Senate resolution celebrating the heritage, culture and contributions of native women that was passed in conjunction with Women’s History Month. 

What You Need To Know

  • Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in spearheading the resolution, which honored American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women as 'the life givers, the culture bearers and the caretakers of Native peoples who have made precious contributions, enriching the lives of all people of the United States.'
  • The measure noted that there are 5.3 million American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. Of these, 4,400 serve in the military and 43,000 are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Mary Kawena Pukui and Edith Kanakaole were mentioned among native women credited with leading efforts to protect their traditional ways of life and revitalize native culture and language.
  • Sunn was the lone example cited for native women who excelled in athletic competition and created opportunities for other female athletes in their sport

 

“Native Hawaiian women have made incredible contributions to our communities and country, and it’s critical that we recognize their impacts on American history,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “The Hawaiian women we commemorate in this resolution are among many more who deserve our recognition and gratitude year-round.”

Schatz, D-Hawaii, joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in spearheading the resolution, which honored American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women as “the life givers, the culture bearers and the caretakers of Native peoples who have made precious contributions, enriching the lives of all people of the United States."

In recognizing specific examples of native women who distinguished themselves by shaping the history of their communities, fighting to defend and protect the sovereign rights of native nations and demonstrating “resilience and courage in the face of a history of threatened existence, constant removals and relocations,” the resolution included a diverse set of influential Native Hawaiian women, including:

  • Queen Kaahumanu - The first woman to serve as regent of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i.

  • Isabella Kauakea Yau Yung Aiona Abbott — The first Hawaiian woman to receive a doctorate in science and credited. She discovered 200 algae species and was recognized as “the First Lady of Limu.”

  • Mary Kawena Pukui — Hawaiian linguist widely considered the most noted translator of the 20th century.

  • Edith Kenao Kanakaole — Hawaiian language and cultural practitioner who founded her own hula halau and helped develop some of the first Hawaiian language and culture courses for public schools and colleges..

  • Rell Kapolioka‘ehukai Sunn — Legendary surfer ranked as a world champion longboard surfer and co-founder of the Women’s Professional Surfing Association.

  • Emma Ka‘ilikapuolono Metcalf Beckley Nakuina — The first female judge in Hawaii.

The measure noted that there are 5.3 million American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. Of these, 4,400 serve in the military and 43,000 are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Pukui and Kanakaole were mentioned among native women credited with leading efforts to protect their traditional ways of life and revitalize native culture and language.

Abbott was named as a contributor to key scientific advances, along with Floy Agnes Lee, who worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II, and Mary Golda Ross, who is considered NASA’s first Native American engineer and a contributor in the development of spacecrafts for the Gemini and Apollo space programs.

Kaahumanu and Polly Cooper, an Oneida Indian who led a relief mission during the American Revolutionary War, were honored as women who led native peoples through notable acts of public service.

Sunn was the lone example cited for native women who excelled in athletic competition and created opportunities for other female athletes in their sport.

Nakuina was recognized with Eliza “Lyda” Conley as a native women who succeeded in the profession of law.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.