Mary Kawena Pukui has been in the spotlight recently, with the U.S. Mint honoring her on a new $1 coin as part of its 2025 Native American series. Released on Jan. 31, the coin features the revered Hawaiian scholar wearing a hibiscus flower, a kukui nut lei, and a muʻumuʻu patterned with kukui leaves. It also bears the inscription “Nānā I Ke Kumu,” the title of a book series she co-authored.
Longtime Punahou Academy social studies teacher David Del Rocco, who recently retired, is also celebrating Pukui’s legacy with a new children’s book, “Mary Kawena Pukui: Knowledge Is Life.” Illustrated by Storm Kano, the book is the second title in the Wayfinders series, which highlights significant figures in Hawaiʻi’s history for young readers in grades K – 4. Del Rocco’s first biography in the series focused on Patsy Mink, and future books will feature Eddie Aikau and Edith Kanakaʻole.
Puki taught at Punahou in the 1930s and helped shape its ‘ike Hawai‘i curriculum, leaving a lasting imprint on the School’s educational approach. In honor of her impact, Punahou has been proud to name into its newest learning facility in her honor. The Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons will transform the former Cooke Library into a hub for high school students, featuring technology labs, flexible learning spaces, and a special room dedicated to Pukui’s contributions. The state-of-the-art space set to open in 2026.
