30-01-2025
Native Hawaiian scholar is the face of new $1 coin
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Next time you sift through your coin pouch, check out the newest face of the $1 coin: Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui will be featured on the U.S. Mint's 2025 Native American $1 Coin thanks to a letter sent by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono to then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
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In 2021, Hirono sent the letter 'urging the U.S. Mint to feature three prominent women from Hawaii in the American Women Quarters Program.'
Officials said all three women were selected with Edith Kanakaole and Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink featured on quarters in 2022 and 2023. Mary Kawena Pukui was the last woman on the list.
2021.05.21_Personal-Letter_MKH-to-Treasury-Secretary-Yellen-re-Hawaii-Women-on-Quarters-FINALDownload
Mary Kawena Pukui is credited for preserving and protecting the Native Hawaiian language and culture, sustaining it for many generations.
She showcased her efforts as an author, composer and dancer.
'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,' said Senator Hirono.
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The $1 coin features Mary Kawena Pukui wearing a hibiscus flower, kukui nut lei and a muumuu with kukui nut tree leaves.
It also features the inscription of 'Nānā I Ke Kumu,' which is the title of a series of books she helped create.
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