Aloha a hui hou, Aunty Marion
Hali`a Aloha, Aunty Marion
Update from Marti on December 20, 2011:
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From Marion’s Family:
Aloha kakou,
We want you to know that the memorial celebrating Marion's life will be on
Monday, December 19, 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Crossroads (1212 University Ave).
We'll have an open microphone for those who want to share experiences and memories of this amazing woman.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Hawaii Peoples Fund.
We look forward to seeing you.
Mahalo nui loa,
Colleen, Cha and Kathleen
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On November 12 Marion Kelly passed away at home. A professor emeritus of Ethnic Studies at UH Manoa, Marion helped to found the department in 1968. Ibrahim Aoude, department chair, wrote:
Marion was a staunch champion of peace and justice for all of humanity. She was a fighter of the first order who never compromised on matters of principle.
Marion conducted numerous cultural histories on Hawaiian land use systems such as fishponds and lo‘i kalo. She made her mark on these places—and the sites and their mana made their mark on her as well.
Marion’s voice was always as strong as her research and she was an unstoppable advocate, especially for Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination. Her open heart and smiling spirit brought many under her wing as she mentored new generations of students and activists.
Marion Kelly’s 1977 study of Makua Valley was never published; 20 years later I was honored to collaborate with her on a synopsis and update.
Marion Kelly lives in her work and her memory lives in every social and political struggle currently taking place in our Hawai‘i nei.—Aoude
Please, also feel free to share your memories of Marion Kelly here.
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Here is a great tribute video created by the talented staff at ʻŌiwi TV.
ʻŌiwi TV celebrates the life of noted anthropologist and life-long activist Marion Kelly. As a scholar, Marionʻs work remains an invaluable resource of Hawaiian culture and history, especially her research on the ahupuaʻa system. As an activist, Marion and husband John Kelly, co-founded a grassroots environmental organization in the mid-1960s called Save Our Surf.
Marion is best known for helping create the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, laying the foundation for what is now the Center for Hawaiian Studies.
Tribute to Marion Kelly from Oiwi TV on Vimeo.
Replies
Marion Kelly was the truest person that I ever met that could give a person like myself information that had cut deep to the very bones of our ancestors. I am so grateful to have known such a beautiful soul. Her research on our living treasure which are our ancestors aina were the deepest cut in scientific research. Her biases if any was truth of science collecting, demonstration, and one that children and science teachers could bring forth in any classroom studies.
We are very blessed that we had such a beautiful scientist in our personal lives for she gave off her time and energy each time that I peronally was in her presence. I loved that flower in her ear, her simple dressing, and her soft voice in action. Her presence in countless and tiring meetings that just sucked from every one's resources here in Waianae with the military came from her generous souls to our ancestors. I understand that she is with people like Charley Kupa and the many butterflies flattering in the breeze and my dearest friend Gail Prejean for both men gave off their last breath to our ancestors and their blessed earth in this universe space and time.
Much aloha my friend