Mary Louise Kekuewa

Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Wentworth Peck Kekuewa (February 5, 1926 – July 18, 2008) was an American Hawaiian master of the ancient art of lei hulu (or feather lei) making and teacher. She is considered the "matriarch of the feather arts" according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. they co-authored a instructional book in 1976, and co-founded a school in Honolulu together in 1991. Kekuewa was nicknamed Aunty Mary Lou. During World War II, the family moved to San Francisco, California, where her father was stationed at the Presidio.

Career In 1955, Kekuewa ran for Aloha Week Queen, and lost. She was featured teaching feather lei making in 1976 on the PBS television series Pau Hana Years, with host Bob Barker.

Working alongside her daughter Paulette Kahalepuna (1945–2014) and Milly Singleary, they wrote and published the book, Feather Lei As An Art (1976). Their book was revised in 1990, with Karen A. Edlefsen. In 1991, Na Lima Mili Hulu Noeau (English: Skilled hands touch the feathers), a lei feather-making school and supply store in Honolulu was co-founded with her daughter Paulette Kahalepuna.

Many of their family has gotten involved with feather lei making, including Kekuewa's granddaughter Mele Kahalepuna (now Mele Kahalepuna Chun), and great granddaughter Taryn Wong. A generation of Hawaiian featherworkers have been influenced by her teachings, including Pattie H. Miyashiro, and Beverly Gwaltney.

In 2003, she award the title of Living Treasures of Hawaii.

Kekuewa died at the age of 82 on July 18, 2008, in Honolulu.

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