Mary Kawena Pukui, who was born in Kaʻū in 1895, spent her life working as a Native Hawaiian scholar and educator.
She also was a hula expert and wrote sourcebooks on Hawaiian cultural practices, concepts and beliefs traditionally passed through moʻolelo (orally transmitted stories). And in 1995, she was even inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as a composer.
Now, her legacy is being honored nationally. She was named the U.S. Mint 2025 Native American $1 coin honoree.
Pelehonuamea Harman, Pukui’s great-granddaughter and the director of Native Hawaiian engagement for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, has been involved in the process since 2023 and was able to choose the final artwork with her family…