Mary Kawena Pukui, who was born in Ka?u in 1895, spent her life working as a Native Hawaiian scholar and educator.

She also was a hula expert and wrote sourcebooks on Hawaiian cultural practices, concepts and beliefs traditionally passed through mo?olelo (orally transmitted stories). And, in 1995, she was even inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as a composer.

Now, her legacy is being honored nationally. She was named by the U.S. Mint as its 2025 Native American $1 coin honoree.

Pelehonuamea Harman, Pukui's great-granddaughter and the director of Native Hawaiian engagement for the University of Hawai?i at Hilo, has been involved in the process since 2023 and was able to choose the final artwork with her family.

The coin features Pukui with a hibiscus in her hair, a kukui nut lei, and kukui leaves in her hand, symbolizing Hawaiian knowledge. Alongside her profile is the title of her series of books, "Nana I Ke Kumu," which she produced with Queen Lili?uokalani Children's Center to document Hawaiian cultural practices and beliefs.

After choosing the art that best depicted Pukui, one of the changes Harman and her family requested from the U.S. Mint was the removal of the English translation for the statement and book title.

"We asked them to take the translation out because we wanted people to delve deeper and encourage people to learn more about our culture," Harman said. "Hopefully, this coin is a source of inspiration for young people and our people who are spread out all over the planet.

"We want it to be a conversation starter, a history lesson in the form of a coin for non-Hawaiians and people who don't know our story."

To read the complete article, see:
New $1 coin honors Native Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula practioner from Big Island(https://bigislandnow.com/2025/03/26/new-1-coin-honors-native-hawaiian-scholar-author-composer-hula-practioner-from-big-island/)