Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 2, 1 February 2003 — Gladys Brandt's example a beacon for a bright future [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Gladys Brandt's example a beacon for a bright future

By Manu Boyd Lu'ulu'u Hawai'i i ka ua nui, ua hala akula 'o Kamakakūokalani i ka moe loa o Niolopua. Hawai 'i is burdened in heavy rains, for Kamakakūokalani has passed into eternal rest. ^ i s the afternoon sun faded to dusk on Jan. ^Ll 29, hundreds flocked to historic JLKawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu to pay ^fcir final respects to a revered leader and educator kwho many considered a modern day ali'i. Gladys ^Kamakakūokalani 'Ainoa Brandt, 96, left deep Mmpressions on the lives of generations of TJawaiians and community members she taught, . led, served and inspired. Gladys Brandt's accomplishments were many: She was the first woman school principal in Hawai'i, a distinction she held for 17 years; the first Hawaiian principal at Kamehameha; recipient of the Order of Ke Ali'i Pauahi in 1971 upon her retirement from Kamehameha; ehainnan and member of the board of regents of the University of Hawai'i; trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; namesake of the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies whose program and permanent

building she championed; and philanthropist and supporter of the American Cancer Society. With high protocol orchestrated by Hale O Nā Ali'i, Brandt's remains were held in a 24-hour vigil under waving kāhili in the sanctuary where 19th century nobility both worshiped and laid in state. Within that royal society, Brandt held the high rank of ikū nahalani, regent's representative and adviser, second only to the Kawānanakoa family whose predecessors reorganized the society a century ago, originally established as Hale Nauā by King Kalākaua. Born Aug. 20, 1906 in Honolulu to Esther and David Kanuha. Brandt's life spanned most of the 20th century and saw the dawn of the millennium. Her father, the first educator of Hawaiian ancestry at Kamehameha, was a loyal supporter of Queen Lili'uokalani. In 1895, he participated in the attempt to restore her rule that resulted in his temporary imprisonment along with Prince Kūhiō and others, by the imposed provisional government. In 1917 at age 11, Gladys attended Lili'uokalani's funeral, a distinction held by few if any today. According to close friend Judge Samuel P. King. See BRANDT on page 5

Ptioto: Kamehameha Schoo!s

S?facfys ŪCamaĀa£uo£aIani 'C7linoa Ū3rancfi Aug. 20, 1906 - Jan. 15. 2003

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BRANDT from page 1 "When Gladys was 16, her father changed the family surname to "'Ainoa," symbolic of freedom, liberty and individual opportunity." At the Jan. 29 services, Brandt's own ali'i lineage through the highest Hawai'i island nobility was recounted in a kanikau or lament by Dr. Rubellite Kawena Johnson, on behalf of Abigail Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, a close family associate and relative. Brandt's maternal roots in Kohala through Nāwa'a were acknowledged in song by Mahi Beamer and Nina Keali'iwahamana in a tender rendition of "Maika 'i ka Makani o Kohala" The classic "Mai Poina 'Oe Ia 'u" by Helen "Sunbeam" Beamer and brother Mahi moved Judge King, who eulogized Brandt. "I have a feeling that Gladys is with us in spirit at this service. The outpouring of aloha, the lowering of the flag and the succession of ceremonies and resolutions in her honor testify to the special plaee Gladys Brandt occupies in the hearts and minds of all of the diverse peoples of Hawai'i. She is more a part of us now than ever before," said King. "Even as we bid her farewell, she will still be with us in spirit as everyone's 'aumakua to continue to counsel us in the ways of pono so that we may do the right in our lives and in our public service. That will be the ultimate gift to her memory," he said. In services at Kamehameha Schools earlier that week, KS

Headmaster Dr. Miehael J. Chun remembered the former Kamehameha principal as "the fearless Kamehameha educator instrumental in transforming our school from one of Western assimilation to one where our (Hawaiian) culture is honored, valued and respected. She did this through one simple act: introducing the stand up

Concert Glee Club girls sang "Aloha Pauahi" at the Kawaiaha'o service, the spirits of Pauahi and Kamakakūokalani seemed to mingle in a poignant moment for all in attendance. The performance of the Kamehameha standard "Sail On My Soul" was both solemn and grand. Neil J. Kaho'okele Hannahs, director of Kamehameha's land

On Feb. 28. 2002, Gladys Brandt's name she inherlted trom her grandmother, KamakakOokalani, was bestowed upon the U.H. Mōnoa Center for Hawallan Studles. L-R: Kumu Hula Vlcky Holt īakamlne, Hawailan Studles Dlrector Ullkalō Kame'eleihlwa, UH President Evan Dobelle. Brandt. and UH Chancellor Deane Neubauer.

hula as an important and honorable cultural tradition." "I have tried to picture Pauahi in someone I know, to give a personal touch to my relationship to the Princess," Chun said. "No one fit that mental image better than Mrs. Brandt did. She was ali'i in the ways that counted. Wise and understanding, honest and fair, firm and compassionate, and committed to serve," he said. When the Kamehameha Schools

assets division, remarked that Brandt had a "hope-filled belief that the way of the century would be illuminated by the enduring values of our past" as a way to overcome any crisis. "As we sit here in remembrance today, we need to understand that Aunty Gladys had high hopes and expectations of us. She said that by working together to integrate our values and practices into the fabric of mankind's modern existence, Hawai'i will serve as a

beacon to the world in setting the standard for life in communities characterized by diversity," Hannahs added. Ho'okupu of lei, oli and specially composed kanikau dirges were offered by organizations with whieh Mrs. Brandt was affiliated: Kamehameha Schools, Hui Hānai, Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club, Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, 'Aha Pūnana Leo, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In honor of Brandt's trusteeship with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona and fellow board members presented eight lei hala, representing eaeh island, in tribute to Brandt's service to the land she so loved. Twice appointed interim trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs — first in April 1998 and again in September 2000 — Gladys Brandt set an example of excellenee, stamina and pono for her peers and constituents. "Our individual and collective strength to advance the noble work for Hawaiians and Hawai'i into the millennium before us will be renewed eaeh day as we celebrate the life and are inspired by the eontributions of Gladys Kamakakūokalani 'Ainoa Brandt," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. "A lifetime of service has indeed earned Kamakakūokalani an etemity of peaee. Aloha nui no na kau a kau, Mrs. Brandt, and mahalo to your 'ohana for their aloha," Apoliona concluded. ■