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.

• Regent  - Manu Powers
• 1st Vice Regent - Martha Morgan
• 2nd Vice Regent - Joelle Kāne
• 3rd Vice Regent - Leslie Brown
• 4th Vice Regent - Kehaulani Keanaaina
• 5th Vice Regent - Puamohala Kaholokula
• 6th Vice Regent - Wendy Rice Peterson
• Recording Secretary - Kawehi Apo
• Corresponding Secretary - Rachel Kawakami
• Treasurer - Alexa Zen
• Historian - Geraldine Miyamoto
• Advisor - Janis P. Kāne

Employment Opportunities

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