Sixty years ago, Hawaiian Mission Academy (HMA) purchased what was once a royal mansion and showcase for King Kalakaua’s treasures. It was a place for kings, cardinals and other special guests to be entertained on huge lanais overlooking spacious lawns.
Today the property is a tropical oasis in a busy cosmopolitan city that provides high school students with an Adventist education. Princess Abigail Kawananakoa-Campbell stipulated in her will that her estate was to be used for the education of Hawaiian children. A year following her death in 1945, HMA was able to begin fulfilling her dream.
Because approximately 22 percent of HMA students are of Hawaiian heritage, leaders decided it was important for HMA to connect to its cultural history of ohana, dignity, honor and aloha. The third annual HMA Student Scholarship Gala event just before Christmas was an ideal setting.
“What made this so special was that the Royal Hawaiian Ali'i would be honoring HMA with their presence,” said Gail Onuma, an HMA grad who coordinated the evening. The guests of honor included Princess Kapiolani Kawananakoa Marignoli, the granddaughter of Princess Abigail, and two great-grandsons. Another honored guest was Pat Bacon, daughter of Mary Kawena Pukui.
“Pukui was not only a graduate of HMA, she is also considered a cultural expert on Hawaii as a translator, researcher, genealogist, composer, teacher and author," explained Onuma. "In 1957, she co-authored the Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language. Pat has followed in her mother’s footsteps and is presently serving as the curator at the Bishop Museum and teaches Hawaiian culture.”
The evening contained many special events that included songs by the HMA Chorale and special entertainment by Kaukahi. Lemuel Leialoha, an HMA graduate from Loma Linda, Calif., served as master of ceremonies. David Pendleton, another HMA graduate, gave a special proclamation from Governor Linda Lingle. Pendleton serves as Lingle's domestic policy advisor.
Leialoha asked his grandniece, Radasha Ho'ohuli, the reigning Miss Hawaii, to perform a hula. Leialoha provided many stories and historical anecdotal information throughout the evening, because “we need to salute the royal family for their commitment to quality education for Hawaiian keiki (children).”
During the evening, as one of three student testimonials, Marianne Cabbat, a ninth-grader, pointed out, “If you would have asked me a year ago where I was going to high school, I would have looked at you with a sad smile and replied that I would like to go to HMA, but the chances are slim. Today, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the anonymous donor who made it possible for me to continue to experience a quality Christian education.” Two other seniors, Ikaika Low and Candy Low, also thanked those who made their education possible at HMA through scholarships and gifts.
Each of the special guests received an engraved clock made from curly koa wood (a native Hawaiian tree) from Lynne Waihe'e, school board chair and former First Lady of Hawaii, as well as a graduate of HMA. Principal Josué Rosado ended the evening with thanks to the royal family for the “special treasure of time that is fitting with the theme of the evening, 'E moakaka ke ala o keia mua aku i ka wa i hala (The path to the future is made clear through our knowledge and understanding of the past).'"
