Rubellite Kawena Johnson

Rubellite "Ruby" Kawena Kinney Johnson is a Historian of Hawaii.

Life Her father was Ernest Kaipoleimanu Kinney (1906–1987) and mother was Esther Kauikeaulani Kaulili (1913–1979). Her maternal grandparents were Solomon Kamaha Kaulili and Kawena Ah Chong. Her paternal grandparents were William Kihapiilani Kinney (1868–1953) and Mary Francesca Vierra (c. 1879–1915). Her paternal great-grandfather was William Kinney (1832–1915) who came to the Hawaiian Islands from Nova Scotia. She was named for the mineral rubellite which is more commonly called tourmaline. Her grandfather was also known as K. W. Kinney to avoid confusion with his half-brother William Ansel Kinney who became a prominent lawyer and then betrayed the Queen in legal representation on behalf of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Another of her grandfather's half-brothers, Ray Kinney (1900–1979), became a popular Hawaiian musician. She was born on the island of Kauai. She married geophysicist Rockne H. Johnson, and had four children: Dane Aukai, Moanilehua, Kaleihanamau and Lilinoe. She has 11 grandchildren.

From 1967 to 1993 she was on the faculty of the University of Hawaii, where she helped establish its Hawaiian studies program. She then became Professor Emeritus of Hawaiian Language and Literature and continued to publish. She researched the history of the Kumulipo, a sacred chant of Hawaiian mythology, and early newspapers in the Hawaiian language.

Johnson was named one of the Living Treasures of Hawai'i in 1983 by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i. She submitted testimony as an expert witness on March 1, 2005, at the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

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