Mary Louise Kekuewa
Mary Louise Kekuewa | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Wentworth Peck February 5, 1926 Puʻunene, Maui, Hawaii, United States |
| Died | July 18, 2008 (aged 82) Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i, United States |
| Other names | Aunty Mary Lou |
| Occupation(s) | Cultural artisan, teacher |
| Known for | Lei hulu (feather lei), haku hulu (featherwork) |
| Spouse | Paul Kalakoho Kekuewa (m. 1944–1994; his death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Living Treasures of Hawaii (2003) |
Mary Louise Kaleonahenahe Wentworth Peck Kekuewa (February 5, 1926 – July 18, 2008) was an American Hawaiian master of the ancient art of lei hulu (or feather lei) making and teacher. She is considered the "matriarch of the feather arts" according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Kekuewa often worked in making feather leis alongside her daughter Paulette Kahalepuna (1945–2014); they co-authored a instructional book in 1976, and co-founded a school in Honolulu together in 1991. Kekuewa was nicknamed Aunty Mary Lou.