Photo: Jennifer Sinco Kelleher/AP/Shutterstock
Hawaii is mourning the death of Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, a renowned philanthropist and one of the last descendants of its monarchy. She was 96.
“Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawai’i and its people,” Veronica said in a statement. “I will miss her with all of my heart.”
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Kawananakoa was a member of the royal house of Kawananakoa, which held close ties to the island nation’s last two reigning monarchs, King Kalākaua and Queen Liliu’okulani. While she held no formal title she was a living reminder of the monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity.
She was also one ofHawaii’s largest landowners, reported the Associated Press.
Courtesy Becker Communications
Throughout her life, she gave generously to many causes, including the restoration and preservation of the Iolani Palace, which now serves as a museum, added the palace release.
The princess also strongly supported the revival of the Hawaiian language through her multiple foundations, provided education scholarships for children and helped pay the medical bills of those in need, it added. Prior to her death, she established three foundations in her name so her philanthropy could continue after her.
Green ordered U.S. flags and the Hawaii state flag to be flown half-staff until Sunday.
source: people.com
