Luahine Iolani

American native Hawaiian kumu hula, dancer, chanter and teacher, who was considered the high priestess of the ancient hula. The New York Times wrote that she was "regarded as Hawaiis last great exponent of the sacred hula ceremony," and the Honolulu Advertiser wrote, "In her ancient dances, she was the poet of the Hawaiian people." In 1970, Luahine and Lokalia Montgomery became the first recipients of Hawaiis State Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership. She was named a "Living Treasure" in 1972. Luahine died on 10 December 1978 at age 63. The ʻIolani Luahine Hula Festival was established in her memory, and awards a scholarship award each year to encourage a student to continue the study of hula. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less