Edith Kawelohea McKinzie

Edith Kawelohea Kapule McKinzie (October 22, 1925 – October 21, 2014) was an American genealogist, educator, author, and expert in hula and chant. A Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiian, Edith published two books on Hawaiian genealogy, was director of the Hawaiian Language Newspaper Indexing Project, and taught traditional hula and chant across the United States. In 2004, she was named a Living Treasure of Hawaii for her contributions to Hawaiian culture and heritage.

Early life Edith Kawelohea Kapule was born on October 22, 1925, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was the eldest of three siblings, with a sister named Alexandra and a brother named Harry Jr. Their father, Harry Kawelo Kapule, was a Hawaiian from Holualoa, and their mother, Caroline "Carrie" Costa, was a Portuguese woman living in Pauoa.

Kapule graduated from McKinley High School (Honolulu) and went on to study at the University of Hawaiʻi, earning an undergraduate degree in Hawaiian Studies, a master's degree in education, Curriculum and Instruction, Members of the project included Kimo Keaulana, William Kalikolehua Pānui, Makalapua Alencastre, Noelani Arista, and Keawe Lopes. McKinzie served as director of the project.

As an adult, McKinzie taught hula across Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, Guam, Midway Island, and Alaska.

Honours and societies McKinzie joined the Ahahui Ka’ahumanu society in 1949. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and received the title Worthy Matron in 1965. McKinzie died just a few hours before her 89th birthday. She was interred in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. Abigail K. Kawananakoa, a member of Hawaii's royal family and a longtime friend of McKinzie, released a statement: "Edith McKinzie guided me into the world of genealogy and opened the door to the true history of the Hawaiian people. My profound aloha to you Aunty Edith."