Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright Campbell (August 22, 1858 – November 1, 1908) was a member of the nobility of the Kingdom of Hawaii. During her life, she married two powerful businessmen, particularly adding to the success of her first husband, James Campbell, and giving him descendants. Among their grandchildren were three heirs to the throne of the kingdom of Hawaii.

Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell
Born
Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright

(1858-08-22)August 22, 1858
DiedNovember 1, 1908(1908-11-01) (aged 50)
OccupationPolitical leader
Spouse(s)James Campbell
Samuel Parker
ChildrenAbigail Campbell Kawānanakoa
Alice Kamokilaikawai Campbell
+ others
Parent(s)John Isaac Maipinepine Bright
Mary Kamai Hanaike
Signature

Early life and family

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Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright was born on August 22, 1858, on Lahaina, Maui.[1][2] Her mother was Mary Kamai Hanaike and her father was John Isaac Maipinepine Bright.[3] She is descended from the Kalanikini line of Maui chieftains, with some European-American ancestry on her father's side.[4]

 
Abigail and daughters.

On October 30, 1877, she married Scotch-Irish American businessman James Campbell (1826–1900), who became one of the largest landowners in the islands.[5] Their children were Margaret (1880–1882); Abigail (1882–1945), who became better-known as Abigail Campbell Kawānanakoa after marrying a Hawaiian prince; Alice Kamokilaikawai Campbell (1884–1971); James, Jr. (1886–1889); Muriel (Mrs. Robert K.) Shingle (1890–1951); Royalist (1893–1896); and Beatrice (Mrs. Francis) Wrigley.[6]

Daughter Alice Kamokila Campbell became active in the anti-statehood movement after the United States annexed Hawaiʻi, making it a Territory.[7] Daughter Margaret, son James Campbell, Jr. and two other daughters died young.[3] James Campbell, Sr. died in 1900 and bequeathed his widow one-third of the estate during her lifetime.

President of Hui Aloha ʻĀina

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The Hui Aloha ʻĀina o Na Wahine, 1893

After the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Abigail Campbell and Emma Nāwahī, wife of Joseph Nāwahī, became leaders of the Hawaiian native movement for protesting the takeover, called Hui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina o Na Wahine (Hawaiian Women's Patriot League).[8] She became the second president of the organization.[9][10]

Second marriage

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On January 4, 1902, widow Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell married widower Samuel Parker, half owner of Parker Ranch.[11] They had a private ceremony in the Occidental Hotel of San Francisco with a judge presiding. The Campbell estate owned the St. James Hotel in San Jose, California. At the time, Abigail Campbell was also preparing to celebrate the wedding of her daughter Abigail to Prince David Kawānanakoa, which took place two days later. The Parkers traveled to Washington, D.C.[12] They returned to California February 2, 1902; it was rumored that Parker would be appointed as the next governor of the Territory of Hawaii.[13] George R. Carter was appointed instead. They had no children.[citation needed]

Death and legacy

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Campbell-Parker died November 1, 1908, aged 50, following breast cancer surgery.[14]

On November 1, 2018, Punahou School named the Kuaihelani Learning Center after her.[15]

Family tree

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References

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  1. ^ "Death of Mrs. Campbell-Parker at the Hospital". Hawaiian Gazette. Honolulu. November 8, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. ^ Richard A. Hawkins (2003). "Princess Abigail Kawananakoa: the Forgotten Territorial Native Hawaiian Leader". Hawaiian Journal of History. Vol. 37. Hawaii Historical Society. pp. 163–77. hdl:10524/354.
  3. ^ a b "James Campbell, Esq" (PDF). James Campbell Company LLC. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-04-11. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  4. ^ Kapikauinamoku (December 11, 1955). "The Story of Maui Royalty: Lunaliloʻs Dynasty Is Represented By Amalus". The Honolulu Advertiser.
  5. ^ "Marriage record, Oahu(1832–1910)". state archives digital collections. state of Hawaii. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  6. ^ Barbara Bennett Peterson (1984). Notable Women of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. p. 209. ISBN 0-8248-0820-7.
  7. ^ John S. Whitehead (1993). "Anti-Statehood Movement and the Legacy of Alice Kamokila Campbell". Hawaiian Journal of History. Vol. 27. Hawaii Historical Society. pp. 43–63. hdl:10524/218.
  8. ^ Noenoe K. Silva (2004). Aloha betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism. Duke University Press. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-8223-3349-4.
  9. ^ "Hawaiian Patriotic League – A Woman's Branch Organized – List of Officers". Evening Bulletin. Honolulu. March 28, 1893. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  10. ^ "Female Patriots – The Original Officers Draw Out – Something About a Throne For Kapiolani, the Relict of Kalakaua". The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu. April 18, 1893. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  11. ^ "A day's weddings" (PDF). The New York Times. January 5, 1902. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  12. ^ "San Jose Lady has a Responsible Position in Prospect". The Evening News. San Jose, California. January 31, 1902. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  13. ^ "Prince David and His Bride Are En Route to Island Home". The Evening News. San Jose, California. February 1, 1902. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  14. ^ "Death of Mrs. Campbell-Parker at the Hospital". Hawaiian Gazette. November 3, 1908. Retrieved June 13, 2010. (reprinted from Honolulu Advertiser)
  15. ^ "Heroine of Hawaiian People Honored". Punahou. Honolulu: Punahou School. April 6, 2019.
  16. ^ "Esther Kapiʻolani (Marchesa Marignoli) Kawānanakoa (1928 - 1985)". ancestry.com. Ancestry. Retrieved 25 September 2023.