Hawaiian Star: The Story of Edith Kanaka'ole Quarter

She was known to many as Aunty Edith and was a powerhouse of Hawaiian culture. Born on the Island of Hawaiʻi, Edith Kanaka’ole became one of the driving forces behind the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s, breathing new life into traditions that were at risk of disappearing.

As a kumu hula (master hula teacher), chanter, composer, and educator, she championed the Hawaiian language, ancient hula styles, and oral storytelling. Her classrooms — at Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo — were more than lecture halls; they were spaces where history, music, dance, and the land itself came alive.

Aunty Edith also bridged culture and science, sharing Indigenous knowledge of the environment and promoting climate resilience long before it became a global conversation. Today, her legacy continues through the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, which preserves her teachings and keeps Hawaiian culture thriving.

The Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter

In 2023, the U.S. Mint honored Aunty Edith with a lasting tribute — her own place in the American Women Quarters Program. This initiative celebrates groundbreaking women who shaped American history, and Edith Kanaka‘ole became the first Native Hawaiian woman ever featured on U.S. coinage.

Released on March 27, 2023, the quarter blends artistry, symbolism, and history:

The reverse design captures her connection to both people and place: Aunty Edith appears in traditional Hawaiian dress, her flowing hair and floral lei transforming into the hills and flora of Hawaiʻi. This is a visual story of her life’s work — preserving the deep bond between land (ʻāina) and culture.

The inscription E hō mai ka ʻike — “granting the wisdom” — reflects her role as a cultural guide and teacher, passing ancestral knowledge to future generations. On the obverse, the familiar portrait of George Washington keeps the coin anchored in U.S. minting tradition.

Why This Quarter Stands Out for Collectors?

Unlike mass-produced designs that change little over decades, the Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter is part of a limited series — the American Women Quarters Program — meaning its mintage is inherently capped by the program’s timeline. Combined with the cultural significance of featuring the first Native Hawaiian woman on U.S. currency, it’s a piece that speaks to both historical importance and design uniqueness.

Collector Highlights:

• Limited Production Run – Issued only during its program year, boosting long-term scarcity.

• Cultural Symbolism – Captures authentic Hawaiian artistry and language in a U.S. coin design.

• Program Recognition – Part of a respected U.S. Mint series that draws collector interest worldwide.

Educational Value in a Quarter

The Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter isn’t just an object to store in an album — it’s a conversation starter. Teachers, historians, and cultural educators use it to discuss topics like:

• Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s

• The role of Indigenous women in shaping American history

• Language preservation and the value of oral traditions

• How coin design reflects the values of an era

By bringing these stories into classrooms, the quarter becomes a hands-on learning tool — one that connects economic history with social history in a tangible way.

Using the Coin ID Scanner App to Explore Further

For collectors who want to organize, research, or simply enjoy their numismatic finds, the Coin ID Scanner app offers a streamlined way to dive deeper into coins like the Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter.

With its freemium model available on both Android and iOS, the Coin ID Scanner transforms coin collecting into a modern, convenient hobby. For a quarter like Edith Kanaka‘ole’s — rich with history and artistry — the app offers a perfect way to preserve its story while keeping your collection neatly organized.

Preserving the Legacy: Cultural Impact and Collector Care

The Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter is not just a beautiful addition to a coin collection — it’s a lasting reminder of how culture, history, and artistry can come together in a single piece of metal. For Hawaiians, it symbolizes pride and continuity; for collectors, it offers both aesthetic and historical value worth safeguarding.

Cultural Impact That Goes Beyond Currency

Edith Kanaka‘ole’s life work extended far beyond the stage or classroom. She fought for cultural survival at a time when Hawaiian traditions were under significant pressure from modern assimilation. By featuring her on a U.S. quarter, the Mint acknowledges Native Hawaiian heritage as an essential part of the American story.

The coin’s symbolism — from the E hō mai ka ʻike inscription to the integration of Maunakea’s landscape — reinforces the idea that culture and environment are inseparable. This makes the quarter a teaching tool, a work of art, and a political statement all in one.

Protecting and Displaying Your Quarter

Whether you have one Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter or several, proper care ensures it remains in top condition for years to come. Even modern coins can develop wear, scratches, or tarnish if not stored correctly.

Preservation Tips for Collectors:

• Use Acid-Free Holders – Prevents chemical reactions that can dull the coin’s surface.

• Store in a Cool, Dry Place – Humidity and heat accelerate metal degradation.

• Avoid Direct Handling – Always use cotton gloves to protect from skin oils.

• Consider Coin Albums or Capsules – Ideal for organization and long-term protection.

• Document Provenance – Record when and where you obtained the coin for historical context.

Why This Quarter Matters for the Future

The Edith Kanaka‘ole Quarter will eventually phase out of everyday circulation, making now the best time to secure it. Its blend of artistry, cultural significance, and limited availability means it’s likely to hold — and possibly increase — its value over time, especially among collectors who focus on themed or commemorative U.S. Mint releases.

For young collectors, it’s also a gateway to understanding the power of coins as historical records. Holding this quarter is holding a piece of Hawaiian resilience — a small but meaningful step toward preserving the voices and stories of the past.

And for those inspired to build a collection that tells stories as rich as this one, tools like the Coin ID Scanner make it easy to preserve history while deepening your connection to it. With one photo, you can unlock a coin’s origins, details, and place in the wider narrative of numismatics — just as this quarter unlocks the enduring legacy of a Hawaiian star.