Center for Biographical Research Presents an Evening of Reflection on Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Center for Biographical Research presents a free lecture, "Ruth Keʻelikolani: Hawaiian Aliʻi," on Thursday, August 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center at 417 South King Street across from ʻIolani Palace.

The evening of readings and discussion will present the life of Princess Ruth, a formidable presence in 19th-century Hawaiʻi. She refused to speak English, to convert to Christianity, or to leave the Hawaiian Islands. During her lifetime, she inherited and managed vast land holdings throughout the islands, lands which were later bequeathed to Bernice Pauahi Bishop and which today form the bulk of the properties administered by Kamehameha Schools.

The presentation will feature guest speakers Rubellite Kawena Johnson, UH Mānoa emeritus professor of Hawaiian language; Paul Nahoa Lucas, Kamehameha Schools; Puakea Nogelmeier, UH Mānoa assistant professor of Hawaiian Language; Kalena Silva, UH Hilo director of Hawaiian Studies; and Momi Kamahele, Leeward Community College assistant professor of Hawaiian Studies.

The event, which is the third in the series "Biography Hawaiʻi Five Lives," is co-sponsored by the Center for Biographical Research and the Judiciary History Center, with support from the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities. Future evenings will be dedicated to Sanford B. Dole, Republic of Hawaiʻi president and territorial governor, and to Kumu Hula Margaret Maiki Aiu Lake. For more information, contact the UH Mānoa Center for Biographical Research at (808) 956-3774 or e-mail biograph@hawaii.edu.