American Women Quarters 2023 Ornament - Edith Kanakaʻole

The American Women Quarters honor a diverse group of notable American women who made significant contributions in a variety of fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored are from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds.

Edith Kanakaʻole was an indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula, custodian of native culture, traditions, and the natural land.

This ornament reflects the three major houses of knowledge—the sky, the land/ocean, and lifecycles (as represented by the Hawaiian State fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa, or trigger fish— the foundations to understand existence and our place in it. The Hawaiian State flower, the yellow hibiscus; traditional Hawaiian instruments; a triton shell, used for communication over large distances; and a palapalʻai fern used to make lei poʻo are also shown.

Framed by the ornament is a 2023 quarter with the reverse (tails) design featuring a depiction of Kanakaʻole, with her hair and lei poʻo (head lei) morphing into the elements of a Hawaiian landscape, symbolizing her life’s work of preserving the natural land and traditional Hawaiian culture. The inscription “E hō mai ka ʻike” translates as “granting the wisdom” and is a reference to the role hula and chants play in this preservation. Additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “25¢,” and “EDITH KANAKAʻOLE.”

This one-of-a kind ornament is beautifully protected by matching packaging. It includes a certificate of authenticity, an explanation of the ornament’s design elements, and a brief description of the honoree. The dimensions of the ornaments are 2.7 x 3.2”, and the box is 4 5/8” square.

Honor the courage and accomplishments of women who have created positive change by starting or adding to your collection of the new American Women Quarters today!