CLARA KAKALIA / 1926-2004

Activist fought for
Hawaiian recognition

Clara Kakalia: Was disappointed that she would not see any positive results in her lifetime

For some 30 years, Clara Kakalia championed a federally recognized Hawaiian nation. When her health failed earlier this year, she told a longtime friend how disappointed she was to have not seen the fruit of her work in her lifetime.

"She knew that her time was near, and she was so frustrated because there were so many things that she wanted to do," said Mahealani Cypher, Kakalia's friend and a native Hawaiian activist. "One of those things was seeing the Hawaiian nation recognized."

Kakalia, who was also a longtime pillar in the Hawaii Democratic Party, died Oct. 29 at Castle Medical Center. She was 78.

Kakalia was born in Hilo, and started to become involved in politics while serving as a legal secretary at the state Attorney General's Office. She volunteered at election sites, and got involved with the Democratic Party.

Soon, she was president of the Women Democrats of Hawaii. Former Gov. George Ariyoshi later appointed her to the state Commission on the Status of Women.

Kakalia was a national committeewoman for the Democratic Party from the 1970s to the '90s, participating as an elector in the nominations of presidential candidate Michael Dukakis and presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Later in life, she was involved in several Hawaiian advocacy groups. She was chairwoman of two committees at Ka Lahui Hawaii, and also worked with Kukahi.

"As she got older, I think she became more strongly drawn to working with Hawaiian people," Cypher said. "She was extremely knowledgeable and knew anybody in town who was anybody. I think she drew a lot of respect."

Kakalia was one of four who successfully sued the state over the constitutionality of the Hawaii Sovereignty Elections Council plebiscite to form a new Hawaiian nation. Ballots asked whether native Hawaiians should elect delegates to propose an independent government, and opponents argued it was unconstitutional for the state to get involved in the vote.

Even after becoming ill this year, Kakalia continued to attend legislative and Office of Hawaiian Affairs hearings. She would just drag her oxygen tank along, friends said.

"She would call a Handi-Van," said her daughter, Leona. "And she'd just go out, holo holo."

Kakalia is survived by daughter Leona; sons Leo, Michael, Kaonohi Malama, K. David Malama and Burt Kauhi; brothers Ernest Jr. and Robert and Henry Leong; and sisters Fannie "Kamakolu" Gilman and Eleanor "Nuku" Hanakeawe.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Kawaiahao Church.