Edith Kawelohea McKinzie

Edith Kawelohea Kapule McKinzie (October 22, 1925 – October 21, 2014) was an American genealogist, educator, author, and an expert in hula and chant. She published two books on Hawaiian genealogy, was Director of the Hawaiian Language Newspaper Index Project, and taught traditional hula and chant across the United States. In 2004, she was named a Living Treasure of Hawaii for her contributions to Hawaiian culture and heritage.

Edith Kawelohea McKinzie
Born
Edith Kawelohea Kapule

(1925-10-22)October 22, 1925
DiedOctober 21, 2014(2014-10-21) (aged 88)
EducationBA, MA, PD, University of Hawaii
OccupationGenealogist, educator, author, hula and chant expert
Notable work
Hawaiian Genealogies
Spouse(s)Clayton McKinzie
ChildrenJoleen Hokuloa McKinzie

Early life

Edith Kawelohea Kapule was born on October 22, 1925, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was the eldest of three siblings, with a sister named Alexandra and a brother named Harry Jr. Their father, Harry Kawelo Kapule, was a Hawaiian from Holualoa, and their mother, Caroline "Carrie" Costa, was a Portuguese woman living in Pauoa.[1]

Kapule graduated from McKinley High School and went on to study at the University of Hawaii, earning an undergraduate degree in Hawaiian Studies, a master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction,[2] and a Professional Diploma (P.D.) in Secondary Education.[1]

In 1946, she married Clayton McKinzie of St. Louis, Missouri. They had one daughter named Joleen Hokuloa McKinzie, and four step-children from Clayton's earlier life.[1]

Academic career

McKinzie lectured at the University of Hawaii's College of Continuing Education, teaching local genealogy and mele hula, and she also taught chanting for the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage. She was the first professor of Hawaiian Studies at the Honolulu Community College, holding the position from 1978 to 1997.[2]

She was known for her extensive work on Hawaiian genealogy, publishing two volumes of Hawaiian Genealogies.[1][2][3] McKinzie also researched the genealogy of the chiefs of Kahoolawe for the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission.[2]

McKinzie served as chairwoman for the University of Hawaii's Committee for the Preservation and Study of Hawaiian Language, Art and Culture.[2]

Working with the Bishop Museum, McKinzie established the Hawaiian Language Newspaper Index Project, organizing a team of scholars to index and catalogue articles, notices, and advertisements from early 19th– and 20th–century Hawaiian-language newspapers.[4] She served as Director of the project.[2][3][1]

Hula

McKinzie first began learning about traditional Hawaiian hula, music and language at home with her family, and was encouraged by her aunt Mary Kapule, who had formerly danced for famed Kumu Hula Anton Ka`ö`ö. At the age of 12, McKinzie began her formal hula and chant training with Joseph `Ïlälä`ole.[1][5]

As an adult, McKinzie taught hula across Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Guam, Midway Island, and Alaska.[2] After she opened a dance school at Guam, McKinzie was invited by dancers Ted Shawn and La Meri to teach Hawaiian dance at Jacob's Pillow in Lee, Massachusetts. She also became a frequent judge in hula competitions.[1] In 2012, McKinzie attended the annual Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition as a presenter, awarding the Edith Kawelohea McKinzie Overall Trophy to Kamehameha High School.[6]

Honours and societies

McKinzie joined the Ahahui Ka’ahumanu society in 1949. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and received the title Worthy Matron in 1965.[1]

Over the years, McKinzie was recognized for her cultural work with the Pulama Award from the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society, the Order of Distinction from the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage and the Ke Kukui Malamalama from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.[2] She received the Ambassador of Hawaii Award from Hawaiian Governor John Waihe’e, and the David Malo award from the Rotary Club of West Oahu.[1]

In 2004, McKinzie was named a Living Treasure of Hawaii by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii for her efforts in fostering traditional Hawaiian culture.[3][2]

Death

On October 21, 2014,[7] McKinzie died just a few hours before her 89th birthday.[2] She was interred in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.[2][7] Abigail K. Kawananakoa, a member of Hawaii's royal family and a longtime friend of McKinzie, released a statement: "Edith McKinzie guided me into the world of genealogy and opened the door to the true history of the Hawaiian people. My profound aloha to you Aunty Edith."[2]

References

  1. ""Auntie" Edith Kawelohea McKinzie". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  2. "Edith Kawelohea McKinzie: 1925–2014". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  3. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News". archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  4. "Hawaiian Language Newspaper Index – Search". www2.bishopmuseum.org. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  5. "Hula Preservation Society". www.hulapreservation.org. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
  6. "2012 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition held at PCHS". www.mypearlcity.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  7. "Edith Kawelohea Mckinzie – View Obituary & Service Information". Edith Kawelohea Mckinzie Obituary. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
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