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
  • Owner, Sea Quest Hawai‘i
• 1st Vice Regent - Martha Morgan
  • Vice-President of Trust Administration, First Hawaiian Bank 
• 2nd Vice Regent - Joelle Kāne
  • Partner, Gallagher Kāne Amai, AAL, ALC 
• 3rd Vice Regent - Vacant
• 4th Vice Regent - Kehaulani Keanaaina
  • Licensed Realtor, Windermere Real Estate 
• 5th Vice Regent - Puamohala Kaholokula
  • Owner and Operator, Trinity Pacific Productions
  • Kumu Hula and Creative Director, Hālau Mohala O Ka Pua Hau Hele
• 6th Vice Regent - Wendy Rice Peterson
  • General Partner, Kaonoulu Ranch
  • Licensed Realtor, Island Sotheby’s International Realty 
• Recording Secretary - Kawehi Apo
  • Flight Attendant, Hawaiian Airlines
• Corresponding Secretary - Rachel Kawakami
  • Independent Consultant, Home Staging 
• Treasurer - Alexa Zen
  • Partner, Ringler Honolulu 
• Historian - Vacant
• Advisor - Janis P. Kāne
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician, Times Supermarket Pharmacy 
  • Senior HR Director, Kamehameha Schools (retired)

Employment Opportunities

Work with Us!