Feb. 9, 2018

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Elementary School haumāna rose bright and early this morning to celebrate Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani, born today in 1826.

In honor of their princess and Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), the keiki held signs in Hawaiian and waved at passers-by on campus.

From infancy, Keʻelikōlani was raised with Bernice Pauahi as her hānai sister. At the time of her death, Keʻelikōlani was Hawai‘i’s largest landowner and designated Ke Ali‘i Pauahi as recipient of 353,000 acres of Kamehameha family lands. That generous gift of ‘āina made her instrumental in the founding of Kamehameha Schools.

She was also a staunch supporter of Hawaiian culture and ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi; demonstrated by her refusal to speak English and instead choosing to speak in her native language.

A mana wahine of her time, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani continues to be a guiding light and inspiration to keiki and ʻōpio throughout our paeʻāina.

Read more about Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani in this I Mua Newsroom story.

In honor of Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani's birthday and Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), KS Kapālama Elementary School keiki held signs in Hawaiian and waved at passers-by on campus. The hānai sister of Princess Pauahi, Princess Ruth's generosity helped make Kamehameha Schools a reality.

Hau‘oli lā hānau - happy birthday - Princess Ruth!