Kina'u Boyd Kamali'i dead at 75
| • | Obituaries |
Advertiser Staff
Kina'u Boyd Kamali'i, a former state representative and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, died Friday at her home. She was 75.
"Kina'u was at the forefront of shaping policy to better the health, education, economic development and self-determination of all Hawaiians," said a statement yesterday by the Native Hawaiian health organization Papa Ola Lokahi.
Kamali'i served 10 years in the Legislature, from 1974 to 1982 and from 1984 to 1986. A Republican representing the Ala Moana-Waikiki district, she held the post of House minority leader.
She also served one term as an at-large OHA trustee, from 1992 to 1996.
Kamali'i was appointed by President Reagan to serve as chairwoman of the Native Hawaiian Study Commission from 1981 to 1983, her daughter, Na'unanikina'u Kamali'i, said last night.
Kina'u Kamali'i wrote a minority opinion disagreeing with a main report that absolved the federal government of wrongdoing in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
The commission studied the needs and concerns of the Hawaiian people and was a precursor for legislation that established Native Hawaiian health programs, Na'unanikina'u Kamali'i said.
"She was very active in the Hawaiian community and in gathering people for sovereignty and for exercising their right to self-determination," she said.
Kamali'i served as administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency under Gov. John Waihee for eight years. Her daughter said Kamali'i also was involved in the repatriation of Hawaiian burial remains from East Coast museums.
She also was GOP national committeewoman for Hawai'i in the 1970s and served as Ronald Reagan's Hawai'i campaign chairwoman in 1980.
Kamali'i was president of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club and in 1985 was named Outstanding Hawaiian of the Year by the State Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
Kamali'i is survived by daughters Na'unanikina'u Kamali'i and Sissi Horton; son Rudolph Kamali'i Jr.; sister Yvonne Erickson; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
