I recently had the privilege of attending the opening event of Nānā i Ke Kumu: Celebrating the Legacy of Mary Kawena Pukui at the Bishop Museum, alongside my fellow trustees.
Participating in this tribute to Kumu Pukui reminded me of the values instilled in me from childhood – values that continue to guide my responsibilities as a trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).
Growing up, I was surrounded by ʻōlelo noʻeau – wise Hawaiian proverbs – especially those shared by my mother, Marian Lupenui Akina, a devoted admirer of Kumu Pukui. When I was first elected to serve as a trustee of OHA, my mother gave me one of Kumu Pukui’s ʻōlelo noʻeau: “I lele no ka lupe i ke pola.” This simple phrase translates to, “It is the tail that makes the kite fly.”
My mother’s maiden name, Lupenui, means “great kite,” making this proverb especially meaningful to our ʻohana. It also serves as a guiding principle in my work as a trustee. My mother gently explained that I should never become so enamored with personal success that I forget the everyday people – those who, like the tail of a kite, make it possible for leadership to rise. In other words, be haʻahaʻa (humble) and remember the people.
This lesson is one I carry with me every day. Leadership is not about personal recognition; it’s about uplifting the lāhui with intention and respect; serving, not being served, by others.
Kumu Mary Kawena Pukui devoted her life to preserving and sharing ʻike Hawaiʻi. Her contributions to Hawaiian language, culture, and history are immeasurable.
Through seminal works like ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, Nānā i ke Kumu, and the Hawaiian Dictionary, she ensured that future generations would not only have access to their heritage but be empowered by it. Her deep understanding of the spiritual, familial, and communal foundations of Hawaiian identity continues to inspire and inform how we build a stronger, more unified Native Hawaiian community.
At the Bishop Museum, surrounded by cultural practitioners, educators, and community leaders, I felt the presence and enduring spirit of Kumu Pukui. The event was more than a tribute – it was a living reminder that her legacy continues in all of us who strive to carry her vision forward. As I listened to the ʻoli, witnessed the hoʻokupu, and reflected on her contributions, I felt a profound sense of reverence, gratitude, and responsibility.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Kumu Pukui was one of them. Her legacy is not confined to the past; it lives on in every conversation where Hawaiian is spoken, in every classroom where keiki learn about their kūpuna, and in every decision made with aloha, mālama, and pono.
As we reflect on her life and continue the journey of our people, may we all strive to be the tail of the kite: steady, grounded, and lifting the lāhui ever higher.
