A renowned kumu hula, Edith Kanakaʻole, has been honored with a new quarter released into circulation by the United States Mint.
Kanakaʻole is one of the five American women to be minted on new quarters as part of the 2023 honorees for the American Women Quarters Program.
The coin depicts a portrait of Kanakaʻole with her hair and lei po’o morphing into the elements of a Hawaiian landscape.
The quarter also features an inscription, “E ho mai ka Ike,” which translates to “Granting the Wisdom.” Kanakaʻole was an award-winning composer who taught at Hawaii Community College and U-H Hilo in the 1970s.
Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, executive director of the Edith Kanakaole Foundation, expressed excitement that a whole new generation of Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians will have the chance to learn about Kanakaole’s contributions to Hawaiian culture, including continuing language in the schools and bringing forth ceremony and chant.
