In every country that’s been surfed, there’s been a first surfer. Someone who's sprung to their feet on a board, and propelled to shore for the very first time.
Abigail Kawānanakoa walked in two worlds: considered by some to be the last scion of the Hawaiian royal family, and by others as someone awash in Western wealth. For Kawānanakoa’s part, she had a passion for the Native Hawaiian culture she hailed from, and following a contentious fight for her estate, that passion will support preserving the culture and language she loved. Kawānanakoa, a descended of the final independent ruler of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; granddaughter of Prince David Kawānanakoa, the hānai adopted son of King Kalākaua; and great-granddaughter of a sugar baron, died last year at the age of 96.
Hawaiians David Kawānanakoa, Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole and Edward Keli’ialonui were attending military school when they first surfed the waters of Santa Cruz.
HONOLULU (AP) The casket bearing the 96-year-old heiress long considered the last Hawaiian princess went on public display Sunday in the downtown Honolulu palace that benefited from her wealth. Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa's casket, handcrafted from a 165-year-old koa tree that fell during a 2021 storm on the Big Island, arrived at ʻIolani Palace in a hearse.