A Gift from A Friend - Kathryn Dragas, Understanding Ka'iulani's Legacy

While looking into the face of my brave and beautiful friend, I am reminded of her urging that the words of Ka'iulani must be heard. Kathryn would be brought to tears, while explaining that she wanted this for her little girl, whom she soon would bring into the world. Our long talks of her plans for the future were so full, so detailed, so bright. Day after day, she made me promise that this would happen, then flash her big smile with a "Yeah, go girl!" She encouraged this project and stressed what it meant to her, as a new mother. Kathryn saw Princess Ka'iulani of Hawaii as a role model and heroine for the little life growing inside of her, and believed that the story of Ka'iulani could empower the lives of many young women. At times, when I felt unequipped to carry this project through, my dear Kathryn was full of encouraging words.

Kathryn Gayle Lawrence Dragas, 40, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Gayle Zydron Battaglia. Among others, she is survived by her husband Bill Dragas, her brother and his wife, John and Lynelle Lawrence, and her father, Robert N. Lawrence. Kathryn was an authentic woman of high principals, and spent her life serving the welfare of children, as a dedicated occupational therapist at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter for 14 years.

Kathryn was a great friend, with a full heart for all who knew her. Her love and support was given, selflessly. In Hawaii, she cared for the wildlife and watched over the rare monk seals of the islands. We will remember how much love and beauty Kathryn brought to our lives and will keep her in our hearts. I know how helpless and lost we all feel and can only pray that peace and love will find all of us who loved her. Thank you for your friendship Kathryn, it was one of the greatest gifts any of us could have received.

Ka'iulani aspired to he a model queen, with modern ideas...

Research continues; this interview of a friend of the Cleghorn family states the Princess's situation clearly. Colonel MacFarlane speaks about Ka'iulani's weak heart and strong convictions:

After being asked if Princess Ka'iulani's heart condition was hereditary:
"The heart weakness," said the colonel, slowly, "was the result of shock; the direct consequence of the blow that struck the young girl of scarce 19 when a cablegram announced that her promised kingdom had been wrenched away from her. It was utterly unanticipated and she never got over it. Till then she had taken little notice of the politics of the hour; all her energies had been concentrated on study, on qualifying for the queenly role she was to assume upon her aunt's demise.
She aspired to he a model queen, with modern ideas; to rule her people for their happiness, welfare and progress; to convert her small kingdom into a worthy little sister of the more advanced kingdoms of our day. Her whole life had been devoted to this end."

Video: Wilmont Kahaialii, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas at The MACC

See Video Clip: Ka'iulani Project - Wilmont Kahaialii, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas at the Maui Arts Cultural Center - Alasdair Fraser, a musician of unsurpassed eloquence, passion and energy, and credited with some of the most memorable music solos in cinema today including "The Last of The Mohicans" and "Titanic", was honored to play this Hawaiian / Scottish tribute to one of Hawaii's most beloved heroines.

Princess Ka'iulani in The Smithsonian

A month or two ago I was interviewed by a reporter who was writing an article about Princess Ka'iulani for The Smithsonian Magazine. After a couple of phone discussions stressing the importance of letting young Hawaiians today hear how Ka'iulani spoke up for her people, I've recieved news just today that it's printed! I thank Janet Hulstrand for helping us spread the word of Ka'iulani's achievements. Others interviewed for the article include DeSoto Brown, archivist at Hawaii’s Bishop Museum and Sharon Linnea, author of Princess Ka’iulani: Hope of a Nation, Heart of a People. Smithsonian Magazine - Ka'iulani: Hawaii's Island Rose, May 2009.

Congratulations to Maui's Sacred Hearts Student

Congratulations Teak... at our last meeting, David Johnston told me of an article that appeared in the Maui News about a Maui schoolgirl who won a competition for her essay on Princess Ka'iulani at Hawai'i State History Day. Along with Amanda Black and Jamie Olsen, who researched Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in America to graduate from medical school, Teak McAfee has qualified for National History Day to be held June 14 to 18 at the University of Maryland in College Park. Congratulations girls!

Kristin Zambucka and the Bronze plaque

For anyone who is interested in Ka'iulani, one of the first books you should pick up is Princess Ka'iulani of Hawai'i, The Monarchy's Last Hope, written by Kristin Zambucka. Today Kristin sent me a lovely email in support of the Project and mentioned the bronze plaque she designed and had erected on the spot of Ainahau (Ka'iulani's
home) in Waikiki.
A state funded building for low rental apartments was to be built on the site of Ka'iulani's family home, but when Kristin pointed out to the developers that there should be some marker
for this special spot, they donated a concrete stand for the plaque, and a small park to surround it on the Ala Wai. Kristin checked out old maps of the day to verify her suspicions that this construction site was also the site of the home of Princess Ka'iulani and her family.

Until she pointed out the importance of this spot to the developers, it was intended to be a parking lot. Thanks to the cooperation of the developers, the plaque now stands as closely as possible to the spot where the house stood - and as for the State owned building, which was to be named Tusitala Vista after Robert Louis Stevenson, it is now called Ainahau Vista.
Isn't it good to know that some developers are willing to rethink their plans for issues like these? Warm aloha to you as well Kristin, and congratulations for saving this important location. Mahalo to Mark E. McKenzie of Abilene, Texas who sent in the photos.

Mikahala Roy, Kahu of the Ahu'ena Heiau

Yesterday, I was grateful to receive wise words from Mikahala Roy, Kahu of the Ahu'ena Heiau. She also told me a story of when she was asked to bless the Queen Lili'uokalani Long Distance Canoe Races that departs annually from Kamakahonu. Her words that day to the paddlers were,
"For 110 years, 'Oiwi have been voiceless in land that they knew first, they know best, they love most. Today the people stand to protect the Queen's ancestor's resting place from development that rampantly destroys our people's peace and erases us from the memory of our beloved land. Paddlers, know this as you near Puu 'Ohau."... "The paddlers of the winning teams along with most who followed, all raised their blades in perpendicular position as they passed Puu 'Ohau. THIS was tribute to our Queen and to truth in our Islands. That was a good day."

I hope we now look forward to many more good days when Ka'iulani's voice will be heard again. It will be heard with every presentation of The Ka'iulani Project which will lead ultimately to the premiere of "Ka'iulani, The Island Rose." Mahalo Mikahala.