The woman who quietly admonished others to "leave a legacy" left her own imprint in 30 years of service to thousands of youths and the Hawaiian community.

"Aunty" Mary Mälia Kawaiho'ouluohä'ao Craver, 82, a revered Hawaiian cultural practitioner and language teacher, songwriter, supporter of hula and the arts, and an advocate for Native Hawaiian rights, died Oct. 3.

More than a thousand people attended her funeral Oct. 21 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kalihi Ward.

For more than 30 years, Craver worked at the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center as the agency's only social work assistant. She was hired by Myron Pinky Thompson, who recognized her unique ability to reach Hawaiian children and their parents, said Robin Makapagal, a social worker at the center.

"Aunty Mälia made us feel good to be Hawaiian," Makapagal said. "We got so used to people saying, 'You damn Hawaiian kids.' Then all of a sudden you get this woman who brings out the best of your Hawaiian stuff."

Born on June 18, 1927, in Ho'okena, Hawai'i, Mary Akoni was raised hanai by her grandparents Manu and Malia Kama and her aunt and uncle Annie and John Kauw[0xeb]. She moved to O'ahu in her late teens and began her career of building harmony within families as a senior house parent at the Salvation Army Boys Home. Before that, she worked for the federal government at Lualualei.

She joined QLCC in 1965, retired and then returned as a cultural and spiritual adviser for family and community building activities.

"She's an icon," said Louella "Cuddles" King, a community building facilitator at QLCC. "She always said, 'Get a grip, leave a legacy. You're here not just to be here. You're here to leave something for the generations to come.' "

Craver was known for spreading the Hawaiian concept of conflict resolution through ho'oponopono, King said. Having used the method to help the children and their families at the center, and wanting to perpetuate it she taught it to thousands of people throughout the island.

Craver brought ho'oponopono and Hawaiian values to a global audience in 2000 when addressing the United Nations on international unity, said Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

"She was very proud to be Hawaiian and of course did all she could to promote, encourage and support it," Apoliona said, adding that Craver lived by traditional cultural practices while growing up and that she was inspired by others to do more for her culture.

In the 1960s, she reconnected with a family member, Mary Kawena Puku'i, a Hawaiian scholar and cultural expert, who gave Craver her Hawaiian name and encouraged her to flourish, resulting in the first of many musical compositions , Apoliona said.

Craver became known for effectively integrating Hawaiian elder wisdom with western clinical therapeutic intervention. She collaborated with Puku'i on research used by clinical professionals as the "gold standard" of curriculum in teaching cultural approach to improving well-being of the Hawaiian family and community.

She established the Kualoa Ancient Hula Competition.

In 2006, Craver received the Order of Ke Ali'i Pauahi from Kamehameha Schools and was selected in 2007 as a Living Treasure by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission. The Rotary Club of Honolulu gave her the David Malo Award.

She was a lifetime member of Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i.

Makapagal said Craver came from a generation that was all inclusive, gracious and hospitable yet she was a no-nonsense person.

"She always looked for the good in people and when you're around her you want to do your best," Makapagal said.

Craver is survived by her daughter, Sherlyn-Dawn Haunani Glosesmeyer; sister Leilani Kauwale; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.