Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui featured on new $1 coin
COURTESY U.S. MINT COURTESY U.S. MINT The U.S. Mint is now selling the 2025 Native American $1 coin, which features Hawaiian scholar and composer Mary Kawena Pukui.
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono celebrated the launch of the coin earlier this year, after having sent a letter to then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the U.S. Mint to feature three prominent women from Hawaii in the American Women Quarters Program.
All three of her suggestions were featured—including kumu hula Edith Kanakaole on a quarter in 2022, Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink on a quarter in 2023, and now Mary Kawena Pukui on a $1 coin in 2025.
'Mary Kawena Pukui's work, from her translations to compositions, have sustained Hawaiian language and culture for generations, ' said Hirono in a news release. 'She was a prominent Native Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, and dancer dedicated to strengthening and preserving Hawaiian culture.'
She added, 'I am glad to see the Mint honoring Mary Kawena Pukui on this year's Native American $1 Coin design, and hope that people across the country will learn more about her valuable contributions to uplift Native Hawaiian language, history, and culture.'
The Native American $1 Coins have a distinctive edge and are golden in color, according to the U.S. Mint, and offer changing reverse designs every year.
Don 't miss out on what 's happening !
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !
Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
On the 'heads ' side, the coin features Native American Sacagawea carrying her infant son Jean-Baptiste, along with the words 'Liberty ' and 'In God We Trust.' On the 'tails ' side, the coin features Pukui wearing a hibiscus flower and kukui nut lei, along with 'United States of America.'
Her name is inscribed, along with 'Nana I Ke Kumu, ' the title of a book series Pukui helped to produce with the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center.
The phrase, which means 'look to the source, ' is evocative of Pukui's life work and legacy, the U.S. Mint said, 'as she was someone who was continually consulted for her expertise on various aspects of Hawaiian knowledge.'
The U.S. Mint noted that while the term 'Native American ' is used interchangeably with 'American Indian ' or 'Indian, ' it is not typically used by Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders as a form of self or collective identification.
'The 2025 Native American $1 coin honors Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert, and educator Mary Kawena Pukui, a Native Hawaiian, ' said the U.S. Mint in an online description of the coin. 'In honoring Mary Kawena Pukui, the Mint recognizes the complexity of the term 'Native American' and encourages the public to learn about the distinct histories and cultures of American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.'
12 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.
Having trouble with comments ? .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
What to know about fatal shooting of 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute
HOUSTON — What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss' husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
What to know about fatal shooting of 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute
HOUSTON (AP) — What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss' husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Since Joss' killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Here's what to know about Joss, his career and his shooting: Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular 'King of the Hill' animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show 'Parks and Recreation,' playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series 'Tulsa King' in 2022. What was happening with Joss in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. 'We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease…and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support,' Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. Court records indicate he was freed Monday on a $200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, did not immediately return a call or an email seeking comment. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss', told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. How is Joss being remembered by friends, actors? Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on 'Parks and Recreation,' fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of 'The Magnificent Seven.' 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,' Pratt wrote. 'Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.' In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him 'a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.' 'You were more than a character — you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,' comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano:
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about fatal shooting of 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss as co-stars pay tribute
HOUSTON (AP) — What prompted the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss, a Native American voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series 'King of the Hill,' remained unclear on Tuesday. While Joss' husband has claimed the person who killed the actor yelled 'violent homophobic slurs' before opening fire, San Antonio police have said they've found 'no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss' murder was related to his sexual orientation.' Police did not respond to multiple emails on Tuesday seeking additional information on the cause of the shooting. Since Joss' killing, friends, actors Joss worked with and fans have honored the actor's memory with tributes and fond remembrances. Who was Joss? Joss, 59, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from the communications and theater program at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1990. Joss was best known as the voice of John Redcorn, a Native American character on the popular 'King of the Hill' animated series, which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. A reboot of the show, which Joss had already worked on, is set to start in August. Joss also had a recurring role on the television show 'Parks and Recreation,' playing Chief Ken Hotate. He appeared in two episodes of the series 'Tulsa King' in 2022. What was happening with Joss in the months before his death? Joss' childhood home, where he still lived, burned down in January. He lost all his belongings and his three dogs were killed in the blaze. A GoFundMe account had been set up to help Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, get back on their feet. 'We may have lost our home, but not our hope. We're moving forward with love, humor, and a little elbow grease…and we're incredibly grateful for every ounce of support,' Joss said in a May 14 Facebook post in which he indicated he was in Los Angeles looking for a new home. By the end of May, Joss was back in Texas, and on Saturday, he took part in a live music performance in Austin, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of San Antonio. Who is accused of fatally shooting Joss? Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is accused by police of confronting Joss and his husband as they were checking their mail at the burned-down home Sunday night. In a statement, de Gonzales alleged that when Ceja Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life. Ceja Alvarez was charged with murder. Court records indicate he was freed Monday on a $200,000 bond. Ceja Alvarez's attorney, Alfonso Otero, did not immediately return a call or an email seeking comment. Robert Rios, a friend of Joss', told TV station KSAT that Joss and Ceja Alvarez were neighbors and the two had argued for years. How is Joss being remembered by friends, actors? Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on 'Parks and Recreation,' fondly remembered the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of 'The Magnificent Seven.' 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,' Pratt wrote. 'Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.' In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss' alma mater, called him 'a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.' 'You were more than a character — you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,' comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post.
