Posted on: Monday, November 26, 2001

Leilani Hughes, Hawaiian educator, activist, dead at 87

Advertiser Staff

Leilani Violet Kimokeo Hughes, a kupuna and Hawaiian educator, died Nov. 18. She was 87.

Kupuna Hughes, as she was fondly called by her students, was an activist for the welfare of the language, culture and health of her people.

Hughes was raised by hanai parents and attended the Kamehameha School for Girls, graduating in 1932.

She became a teacher at Wai'anae Elementary School, and also taught on Kaua'i. Hughes referred to her students as mo'opuna (grandchildren).

Hughes was honored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as one of its Kukui Malama awardees. She worked as a kupuna in the Department of Education's Kupuna Program, most recently for Lanakila Elementary School. In 1999, she was among the first native-speaking kupuna at the Kamehameha middle and high schools.

Every summer for 20 years, she served as a kupuna for the summer Exploration Program at Kamehameha, Ho'omaka'ika'i.

She was an active member of the Kamehameha Alumni, the 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i, 'Aha Manaleo, and was a Lei Hulu Makua member of the Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawai'i, 'Ahahui Po'o.

Kupuna Hughes was the co-composer of the Hawaiian ballad, "I Ola Kakou, Na Hawai'i ("So That //we Flourish as Hawaiians"), by the OHA Kupuna and Kawai Cockett.

Former and current students are requested to attend services, as are members of 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i and the 'Aha Manaleo. Members of Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawai'i are requested to attend in regalia.

Hughes is survived by a son, Thomas Honolulu; daughters Leialoha Kuulei and Claire, as well as four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services are Friday at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha Schools. Visitation begins at 4 p.m.

No flowers.