Regardless of whether they are aware of it, when hula halau gather at the Edith Kanaka'ole Multi-Purpose Stadium for the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, they help perpetuate the memory and legacy of one of Hawai'i's most revered kumu hula.
Kanaka'ole was born in 1913 in Honomu, Hawai'i, the heir to a long family tradition of hula and oli-style chant. A cultural preservationist with a gift for teaching, "Auntie Edith" would share this precious knowledge with countless students through her halau, Halau O Kekuhi.
Kanaka'ole also shared vast knowledge of Hawaiian culture as an instructor of Hawaiian studies at Hawai'i Community College and the University of Hawai'i-Hilo, promoting Western education at the same time she encouraged young Native Hawaiian students to embrace their cultural heritage.
For all her contributions, Kanaka'ole was recognized with an Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership from then-Gov. George Ariyoshi, and was designated the Outstanding Hawaiian by the Hawaiian Civic Clubs and a National Living Treasure by the emperor of Japan. She also won two Na Hoku Hanohano awards for her chant recordings.
Kanaka'ole died in 1979. Her cultural knowledge, creativity and scholarship are still in practice through her daughters Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele, the noted writer, teacher and producer, and kumu hula Nalani Kanaka'ole Zane, who established the Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation in honor of Edith and husband Luka.
