First Native Hawaiian ordained to Roman Catholic priesthood
Charles Alvin Kekumano (12 May 1919 – 19 January 1998) was a Roman Catholic priest from Hawaii. He is considered the first ordained Native Hawaiian priest.[1][2][3]
Shortly after Father Joseph Anthony Ferrario became bishop, Kekumano left the diocese of Honolulu, to work in the diocese of Juneau. He retired in 1984 and returned to Honolulu.[8] Kekumano was involved in many civic organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu. He also served on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, the Honolulu Police Commission, the Maui Charter Commission, and the Hawaii Commission on Children and Youth.[6] Kekumano was also a trustee of the Queen Liliuokalani Trust from 1986–1998.[9][8] He was president of the 200 Club, Coalition for a Drug Free Hawaii and the Hawaii chapter of the United Service Organization.[4]
In 1997 he was co-author of the essay "Broken Trust" which criticized Kamehameha Schools, the largest private landowner in Hawaii, resulting in their reorganization.[8][10]
He died of cancer on January 18, 1998, in St. Francis Hospice in Honolulu, at the age of 78.[11]
Recognition and legacy
Monsignor Kekumano was awarded Humanitarian of the Year in 1992 from the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Maryknoll School established an award and scholarship in his honor.[12][13]
