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. Kekuewa often worked in making feather leis alongside her daughter Paulette Kahalepuna (1945–2014); they co-authored a instructional book in 1976, and co-founded a school in Honolulu together in 1991. Kekuewa was nicknamed Aunty Mary Lou.

Early life and family Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Wentworth Peck was born February 5, 1926, in Puunene, Maui. Her parents were Katherine Mailelani (née Rose), and Nohea Oramel Arnold Peck Sr.; her father was a civil engineer in the United States Army. During World War II, the family moved to San Francisco, California, where her father was stationed at the Presidio. After the war, her father moved to Japan alone, and was stationed there many years.

She and Paul Kalakoho Kekuewa married in 1944 in San Francisco, and together they had two daughters and one son.

Career In 1955, Kekuewa ran for Aloha Week Queen, and lost. After she started helping with the costumes for Aloha Week Queen, and learned featherworking from studying under Leilani O. Fernandez. Kekuewa started teaching feather lei making in the 1950s at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. In 1975, Kekuewa was finally named the Aloha Week Queen.Arcayna, Nancy (September 7, 2006). "Vibrant Culture: The Aloha Festivals is a Matter of Tradition and History for Mother and Daughter". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. 43, 44, 45. Retrieved 2024-11-28 – via Newspapers.com. 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.

Publications

Mary Louise Kekuewa

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