At the close of the 1800s, when Oberlin (Ohio) College graduate Ida May Pope accepted a teaching job at Kawaiaha‘o Seminary, a boarding school for girls in Honolulu, she could not have imagined it would herald a lifelong career of service to Hawaiian women — or that she would become closely involved in the political turmoil soon to sweep over the kingdom.
At the close of the 1800s, when Oberlin (Ohio) College graduate Ida May Pope accepted a teaching job at Kawaiaha‘o Seminary, a boarding school for girls in Honolulu, she could not have imagined it would herald a lifelong career of service to Hawaiian women — or that she would become closely involved in the political turmoil soon to sweep over the kingdom.
Noted researcher Sandee Bonura has just published a beautiful and sensitive biography of Pope, who also became the founding principal of the Kamehameha School for Girls. Using recently discovered primary sources, Bonura gives an eyewitness, day-by-day account of the 1893 revolution through the eyes of Pope’s young pupils … a coup d’etat that took place literally outside the school’s windows.
Bonura shares this unique history — and will be happy to inscribe copies of her book — on two occasions next week at the Lyman Museum: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday (Nov. 13) and 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 14).
The program is part of Lyman’s Saigo Public Program lecture series. Admission is free to museum members, $3 for nonmembers.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 276 Haili St. For more information, call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.