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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, January 24, 2003

Services next week for Gladys Brandt, revered kupuna

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Gladys Brandt

Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt, the revered Hawaiian kupuna whose influence stretched from the revival of Hawaiian traditions to the shake-up of Bishop Estate, will be remembered at several events next week, including a formal funeral service Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church.

Brandt died in her sleep last week in The Queen's Medical Center at age 96. She left a legacy of community spirit in a state changed by her life as an educator, leader and tenacious fighter for Native Hawaiian rights and values.

The funeral service will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church. Other services will be at Kamehameha Schools, where Brandt served as principal of the girls' school and director of its high school division from 1963 to 1971.

Services begin Monday at Kamehameha Schools' Kapalama campus at 4:30 p.m. The event will be open to students, parents, staff, alumni, teachers and former employees of Kamehameha Schools and will be held at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel.

On Tuesday, the University of Hawai'i's Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies will present a memorial tribute and celebration of hula honoring "Auntie Gladys" from 5 to 9 p.m. The service will feature at least 15 halau performing oli, hula and mele. Organizers invite the university community and the Hawaiian community to attend.

Also on Tuesday, a vigil will begin at 6 p.m. at Kawaiaha'o Church over her remains with the Hale o na Ali'i benevolent society and will continue for those who wish to pay respects until the formal program begins the following day.

The main public event will be at Kawaiaha'o Church Wednesday, where a tribute in music and chant begins at 2 p.m. From 5 to 6 p.m., ho'okupu (gifts) will be offered by six organizations with which Brandt was closely affiliated: Kamehameha Schools, the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club; the University of Hawai'i's Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies; 'Aha Punana Leo; the Hui Hanai (auxiliary to the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center); and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

At 6 p.m. the funeral will begin, conducted by Kahu David Ka'upu, retired chaplain of Kamehameha, and hosted by Kahu Kim Mersberg, interim pastor of Kawaiaha'o. The program will include musical tributes by Mahi Beamer, Nina Keali'iwahamana and Sunbeam Beamer, along with the Kamehameha Schools Concert Glee Club. Federal Judge Samuel King will deliver the eulogy. After the service, organizers plan time for fellowship and greeting of family and friends on the church grounds.

The public remembrance will conclude at 9:30 p.m. Brandt will be buried at a private family service Thursday.

Correction: Six organizations will present ho'okupu from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church before the funeral for Gladys Brandt. One of the organizations is 'Aha Punana Leo. Kahu Kimo Mersberg will be one of the ministers conducting the funeral. Hale o na Ali'i will take part in a vigil Tuesday at Kawaiaha'o Church. An earlier version of this story was incorrect because of errors by a reporter.