Our History

About Us

The Daughters of Hawai‘i was founded in 1903 by seven progressive women ahead of their time. Born in Hawai‘i, they were citizens of the Hawaiian Kingdom before annexation and foresaw the inevitable loss of much of the Hawaiian culture. They founded the society “to perpetuate the memory and spirit of old Hawai‘i and of historic facts, and to preserve the nomenclature and correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian language.”

The Daughters of Hawai‘i was one of the first organizations in Hawai‘i to recognize the importance of historic preservation. Since the early 1900s it has been distinguished for preserving Hānaiakamalama in Nu‘uanu, commonly known as the Queen Emma Summer Palace, and Hulihe‘e Palace in Kailua-Kona, restoring them with original royal furnishings and regalia. The Daughters continue to preserve and maintain two of Hawai‘i's three royal palaces, as well as the birth site of King Kamehameha III at Keauhou Bay in Kailua-Kona.

Today, the Daughters of Hawai‘i is a nonprofit corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors overseeing the management and operation of the two Palaces.

We offer several ways to let you engage with us to help maintain and develop our legacy to perpetuate the memory and spirit of old Hawaiʻi and of historic facts, and to preserve the nomenclature and correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian language.

Picture taken at the 2023 Annual Meeting In-Person Venue

Seated From L to R: Former Regent Geraldine Miyamoto, Rochelle Monsarrat, Vana Kinimaka, Director Rachel Kawakami. Standing from L to R: Lehua Pilago-Serrao (front), Advisor Janis Kāne (back), Nani Kupihe (back), Ann Stagnaro (front), Nancy Beadle, Director Ulalia Woodside Lee, Director Joelle Segawa Kāne, Suzie Petersen (back), Corinne Ching (front), Billie Powers (front), Director Kehaulani Keanaaina (middle), Nakita Chun (back), Ally Brown (front), Vice Regent & Vice President Martha Morgan (back), Regent & President Manu Powers,  Ka‘ili Kāne, and Cherie Okada-Carlson.

Board of Directors

• Manu Powers, Regent & President
  • Owner, Sea Quest Hawai‘i
• Martha Morgan, Vice Regent & Vice President
  • Vice-President of Trust Administration, First Hawaiian Bank 
• Kawehi Apo, Secretary
  • Flight Attendant, Hawaiian Airlines
• Alexa Zen, Treasurer
  • Partner, Ringler Honolulu 
• Jamilee Jimenez
  • Resource Specialist, Lili‘uokalani Trust
• Puamohala Kaholokula
  • Owner and Operator, Trinity Pacific Productions
  • Kumu Hula and Creative Director, Hālau Mohala O Ka Pua Hau Hele
• Joelle Kāne
  • Partner, Gallagher Kāne Amai, AAL, ALC 
• Rachel Kawakami
  • Independent Consultant, Home Staging 
• Kehaulani Keanaaina
  • Licensed Realtor, Windermere Real Estate 
• Ulalia Woodside Lee
  • Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i
• Jennifer Larsen Morrow
  • Owner and Marketing Visionary, Creative Company

Advisors to the Board of Directors

• Janis P. Kāne
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician, Times Supermarket Pharmacy 
  • Senior HR Director, Kamehameha Schools (retired)
• Wendy Rice Peterson
  • General Partner, Kaonoulu Ranch
  • Licensed Realtor, Island Sotheby’s International Realty 

2022

Picture taken at the 2022 Annual Meeting In-Person Venue

From L to R: Regent & President Manu Powers, Former Regent Patricia Morgan, Director Jennifer Larsen Morrow (back), Treasurer Alexa Zen (front), Director Joelle Segawa Kane (back), Vice Regent & Vice President Martha Morgan, Advisor Wendy Rice Peterson, Director Kehaulani Keanaaina, Director Puamohala Kaholokula, Former First Vice Regent Suzie Petersen, Former Regent Geraldine Miyamoto, Daughter Josann Jenks, and Calabash Cousin Kamana Seymour.

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