LIHU‘E — Since 1988, the trustees of the Kaua‘i Museum have acknowledged special people as “Living Treasures” for their contributions to culture, education and the welfare of the people and communities of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

Aunty Jennie was born on Feb. 3, 1925, to George and Miriam Namaka‘eha Kahalekomo in Makaweli Valley as the eldest of nine children. The family lived across the Makaweli River above the junction of the Waimea and Makaweli Rivers, one and half miles from Waimea Town, a release says.

Access was by a swinging bridge across the Waimea River or a dirt road along the east bank of Waimea River. As a child she lived amongst taro fields and helped her father with the cultivation as well as the cooking and cleaning of taro. She watched her father pound the taro into poi. Later the family moved to Waimea Valley at Pali‘uli. Following the death of her father, she left high school and went to work to supplement the meager family income.

She and her late husband John Keuma were interested in salt making at Hanapepe where the ancient art is still practiced. Active in her childrens’ schools, Aunty Jenny developed a presentation on salt making as a volunteer.

Before each presentation a model replica of the salt beds and wells is made in clay from the area and miniature tools constructed as a hands-on activity. Salt packets were shared.

Demonstrating for her grandchild’s 4th grade “show and tell” led to poi pounding demonstrations. Her personal experiences regarding taro cultivation and poi pounding provide a glimpse of old Hawai‘i which made her presentations especially engaging.

Today she is an active kupuna in the Alu Like Kupuna Program where she shares the art of contemporary lei making using yarn and ribbon. 

Her proudest moment was when she was honored as an educator by Waimea High School along with former teachers with degrees as her education consisted of the hard knocks in life and living a culture based on Hawaiian values.

This remarkable woman hasn’t lost sight of one basic truth - her life and gifts are from Ke Akua. Her counsel to ‘opio, included her grandchildren, is “Listen to your kupuna, they have lived a long life and know many things … take heed … take care so you can be nice and strong in your old age.”

Join the celebration on Aug. 15 at the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort’s Jasmine Ballroom. Tickets are available at the Kaua‘i Museum Gift Shop, 246-2470.