Kawananakoa, ‘last Hawaiian princess,’ dies at 96

HONOLULU — Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, the socalled last Hawaiian princess whose lineage included the royal family that once ruled the islands and an Irish businessman who became one of Hawaii’s largest landowners, died on Sunday. She was 96.

A news release said she died peacefully in her Honolulu home with her wife, Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, at her side.

“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people,” her 69-year-old wife said in a statement, “and I will miss her with all of my heart.”

Kawananakoa held no formal title but was a living reminder of Hawaii’s monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.

Kimo Alama Keaulana, assistant professor of Hawaiian language and studies at Honolulu Community College, called Kawananakoa “the last of our alii,” using the Hawaiian word for royalty.

James Campbell, her great-grandfather, was an Irish businessman who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaii’s largest landowners.

He had married Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright. Their daughter, Abigail Wahiika’ahu’ula Campbell, married Prince David Kawananakoa, who was named an heir to the throne.

Their daughter, Lydia Kamaka’eha Liliu’okulani Kawananakoa Morris, had Abigail with her husband, William Jeremiah Ellerbrock.

After the prince died, his widow adopted their grandchild, the young Abigail, which strengthened her claim to a princess title. She acknowledged in an interview in 2021 that had the monarchy survived, her cousin would be in line to be the ruler, not her.

“Of course, I would be the power behind the throne, there’s no question about that,” she joked.