DECEMBER 19, 1831

HAWAIIAN ROYAL PHILANTHROPIST BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP BORN

Bernice Pauahi Pākī, last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I, was born in Honolulu. Receiving a Western education at the Royal School, she excelled in academics and became a devout Christian. After marrying, Pauahi led several charitable organizations aiding sick travelers and providing clothing for the poor. An accomplished contralto singer and pianist, Bernice conducted the works of Haydn and Verdi with the Amateur Musical Society. In 1872, at his deathbed, King Kamehameha V offered her the throne, but she declined. In 1883, Ruth Keʻelikolani—governess of the Islands—died, leaving nearly 353,000 acres to Bernice. In sum, Bishop owned about 9 percent of the Hawaiian landmass. In her will, she bequeathed most of her estate for creating what became the Kamehameha Schools, giving preference to “Hawaiians of pure or part aboriginal blood.” Bernice died on October 16, 1884, in Honolulu. Today the schools have campuses on Oahu, Hawaii, and Maui, educating nearly 7,000 children annually.

Source:  Mithun Selvaratnam, “Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” Philanthropy Hall of Fame.  Retrieved 7/16/2019, https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/almanac/people/hall-of-fame/detail/bernice-pauahi-bishop
Charcoal sketch:  J. Ewing, photo reproduction by J. J. Williams (1853-1926).  Date: Pre-10/16/1884.   Public Domain.