Children gathered around a Hawaiian woman beneath the title “Knowledge Is Life: Mary Kawena Pukui,” a children's book cover written by David Del Rocco and illustrated by Storm Kano.
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Mary Kawena Pukui

written by David Del Rocco, illustrated by Storm Kano

WAYFINDERS is a new series of biographies celebrating Hawai‘i’s leaders—women and men who have helped shape the islands as we know them today. These books shine a light on those well-known and lesser-known educators, scientists, athletes, artists, activists, and political leaders who have transformed Hawai‘i and paved the way for future generations.

This second WAYFINDERS book is about Hawaiian educator, scholar, composer, and author Mary Kawena Pukui who spent her life documenting, preserving, and teaching ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and Hawaiian history, culture, and traditions for future generations. She translated countless works and interviewed many kūpuna in the Hawaiian language so that today’s Hawaiian language learners can hear the Hawaiian spoken by their elders, which provides a valuable connection to the past. In addition to her extensive research work at Bishop Museum, Kawena also taught at Kamehameha Schools and Punahou School, teaching generations of keiki about the Hawaiian culture and language.

6.625 x 8 inches
28 pages
$9.95
ISBN 978-1-949000-37-5

Order
  • Illustrated Hawaiian volcano scene with a smiling baby sitting on glowing lava beneath a sunrise, alongside biographical text about Mary Abigail Tui Kawena Wiggin.
  • Illustrated Hawaiian historical scene with a diverse crowd viewing Iolani Palace, accompanied by text about the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the banning of the Hawaiian language in schools.
  • Illustration of a Hawaiian forest with a grandmother and young girl tending a plant, surrounded by two pink pigs and tropical foliage.

Other books in the Wayfinders series

Vintage-style Wayfinders logo featuring a flaming bowl and the text "Little Biographies of Hawaiʻi's Leaders"
  • Book cover for “Eddie Aikau: Legendary Lifeguard and Surfer,” featuring an illustrated surfer riding a wave.
  • Book cover for “The Heart of Hula: E Dih Kanakaʻole,” featuring an illustrated Hawaiian woman wearing a greenery lei, written by David Del Rocco and illustrated by Storm Kano.
  • Illustrated children's book cover titled “Mary Kawena Pukui: Knowledge Is Life,” showing Mary Kawena Pukui surrounded by children.
  • Illustrated book cover for “Patsy Mink: Hawaii’s Champion for Women’s Rights,” written by David Del Rocco and illustrated by Storm Kano, showing Patsy Mink leading a diverse crowd.