The controversial history behind Hawaii's last 'princess' Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawnanakoa
Having lived almost her entire life holding the title of Hawaii's 'last princess', Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa was, to the outside observer, something of a fairytale-esque character.
Described as a 'larger than life' character, she lived the kind of glamorous lifestyle depicted in a Disney Princess movie... complete with a prestigious education and, of course, a picture-perfect palace.
But behind her opulent wealth and glittering Honolulu palace lay a much more sordid tale filled with scandal, bitter legal battles over wealth and inheritance, and dramatic accusations of spousal abuse that lends itself more to a soap opera than a charming fantasy story with the all-too-familiar happy ending.
When Kawānanakoa died on Sunday at the age of 96, her beloved wife Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, 69, was by her side.
That she spent her final moments with her spouse of five years could be seen as a testament to the strength of their relationship... that is until you dig further under the surface of their love story to discover a much darker side to the romantic tale.
Even as Abigail was tying the knot with her wife in 2017, scandal had erupted over the $215 million fortune she inherited from her sugar plantation owner father - with the heiress's lawyer of more than to decades insisting that the union was nothing more than Veronica's attempt to seize a chunk of her spouse's wealth.
Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa (seen in 2019) has died at the age of 96 - years after the fate of her enormous fortune became the center of a bitter legal battle
In 2017, her lawyer claimed that her partner Veronica was 'manipulating' her in an attempt to get more of her inheritance. Abigail and Veronica are pictured at their 2017 wedding
As Abigail (seen in 2009) passes away, FEMAIL took a look back at the controversial history behind Hawaii’s last ‘princess' - and uncovered intimate details about her private life
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ShareRemarkably, it would not be the first time that the 'princess's' wealth had been put at serious risk, although the first time Abigail almost saw her fortune flushed away was the result of her own devil-may-care attitude.
Exactly 20 years before she tied the knot with Veronica, Abigail was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy, having spent almost her entire fortune on horse breeding, a seemingly-innocent hobby that she picked up as a child - but that would later almost destroy her life.
A timeline of Hawaii's 'last princess' Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa's life
- Abigail was born on April 23, 1926, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents Lydia - the daughter of Prince David Kawananakoa - and William - an Irish American.
- After the Prince died, his widow - Abigail's grandmother - legally adopted Abigail, who was age six.
- She first started inheriting her fortune in 1969 after her mother passed away.
- After spending 'millions' of dollars on breeding racehorses throughout the '90s, she almost went bankrupt in 1997.
- In 2017, Abigail suffered a stroke and a bitter legal battle between her former attorney Jim Wright and her partner Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, whom she married that year, ensued.
- In 2020, a judge ruled that Abigail was too impaired 'to manage her property and business affairs'.
- She passed away at age 96 on Sunday.
But, true to her 'larger-than-life' persona, Abigail persevered, and just one year later she had emerged from the scandal - and the bankruptcy - with her back taxes paid off.
It may have seemed at the time that the last remaining Hawaiian 'royal' was set for her fairytale ending.
That is until 2017, when she suffered a devastating stroke that saw her life, and her finances, thrown into turmoil once again - leading to a bitter legal battle that saw her partner accused of 'manipulation' and 'abuse' by a lawyer who had been by Abigail's side for more than 20 years, helping her to weather the storm of her bankruptcy.
At the time, legal expert Jim Wright made several sensational accusations against Veronica - alleging that she was trying to take advantage of Abigail's weakened mental state to pull of a 'high-stakes money grab', while also accusing her of physically abusing her spouse.
To add further fuel to the drama, Veronica hit back, claiming that it was in fact Wright who was trying to 'take control of the estate for himself', while insisting that she had nothing but Abigail's best interests at heart.
For years, the two fought it out in court, and in 2020, a judge ultimately ruled that Abigail was not fit 'to manage her property and business affairs' and put Wright in charge of the trust.
Far from a fairytale happy ending, Abigail's final years were shrouded in this scandal - which have left lingering questions over what exactly will happen to her full fortune, the last remaining legacy of Hawaii's royal family.
It was the last twist for the Kawananakoa dynasty, which had fought to maintain its line of succession for years - with Abigail's grandmother going as far as to adopt her at age six in order to ensure that she would inherit a royal title.
Now, as the last of Hawaii's royal family passes away, FEMAIL traces back the many twists and turns of Abigail's dramatic life - and the family that fought so hard to maintain its wealth and status, only to have it now thrown into the shadow of doubt with her death.
Inside Abigail's ties to the Hawaiian monarchy: Her grandfather was a prince, which made her the last living descendant to the former kingdom's throne
Abigail's grandparents were Prince David Kawananakoa (left), who was an heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, and Abigail Wahiika`ahu`ula Campbell (right), the descendant of one of Hawaii's largest landowners
Abigail and Prince David's daughter Lydia Kamaka`eha Liliu`okulani Kawananakoa Morris (seen) welcomed Abigail with her husband, Irish American William Jeremiah Ellerbrock
Years before she became Hawaii's 'last princess', Abigail enjoyed a life of wealth and exotic luxury.
The royal was born on April 23, 1926, in Honolulu, to an Irish American sugar plantation heir and a Hawaiian princess named Lydia Kamaka`eha Liliu`okulani Kawananakoa.
Abigail's Irish-American family had long since planted their roots in Hawaiian soil.
After the Prince died, his widow - Abigail's grandmother (seen) - decided to legally adopt the then-six-year-old to ensure that she was a direct heir to the throne shall the kingdom ever come back
Her great-grandfather James Campbell was an Irish businessman who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and was one of Hawaii´s largest landowners.
He married Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright, and their daughter, Abigail Wahiika`ahu`ula Campbell, went on to wed Prince David Kawananakoa, who was an heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Before Hawaii became the US' 50th state in 1959 it was it's own country ruled for many years by the Kawananakoa family.
Abigail and Prince David welcomed a daughter, named Lydia Kamaka`eha Liliu`okulani Kawananakoa Morris.
She and her husband, an Irish American named William Jeremiah Ellerbrock, went on to give birth to Abigail years later.
After the Prince died, his widow - Abigail's grandmother - decided to legally adopt the then-six-year-old to ensure that she was a direct heir to the throne shall the kingdom ever come back.
However, she explained in an interview with Honolulu Magazine in 2021 that had the monarchy survived, her cousin Edward Kawananakoa - who died in 1997 - would have been first in line to be the ruler, not her.
'Of course, I would be the power behind the throne, there's no question about that,' she joked.
While Abigail held no formal title, she was a living reminder of Hawaii´s monarchy and a symbol of Hawaiian national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in the 1800s.
While Abigail held no formal title, she was a living reminder of Hawaii´s monarchy. Abigail's grandmother is pictured with her kids, including Abigail's mother (top center)
'She was always called princess among Hawaiians because Hawaiians have acknowledged that lineage,' Kimo Alama Keaulana, assistant professor of Hawaiian language and studies at Honolulu Community College, said in a 2018 interview.
'Hawaiians hold dear to genealogy. And so genealogically speaking, she is of high royal blood.'
He called her 'the last of our alii,' using the Hawaiian word for royalty: 'She epitomizes what Hawaiian royalty is - in all its dignity and intelligence and art.'
A glimpse of the heiress' personal life: Abigail had a passion for giving back and horse breeding - but nearly went bankrupt after she spent almost all of her money on the hobby in 1997
Family friend and reporter Denby Fawcett described Abigail as someone who was 'larger than life' with a 'movie star-like presence.' She is seen in October 1954
Family friend and reporter Denby Fawcett described Abigail as someone who was 'larger than life' with a 'movie star-like presence' from a young age, and recalled the Princess spending much of her childhood 'at the stables or in the park watching polo matches.'
Before meeting Veronica, she was briefly engaged to a polo player and World War II vet named Peter Perkins, who Denby said Abigail couldn't stop gushing over even years later.
'But when I grew up and became a news reporter, our paths crossed and we enjoyed talking about the good old days when we each could ride our horses down the beach and keep them near our houses, always ready to go out for a gallop,' she wrote for Honolulu Civil Beat recently.
'She also liked talking to me about the dashing Peter Perkins, I think because I was the only reporter around who remembered him.'
The two never wed, but it's unclear why their engagement ended.
Abigail was educated at Punahou, a prestigious prep school, for most of her childhood.
For high school, she attended an all-female California boarding school called Notre Dame High School.
Abigail first started inheriting her fortune in 1969 after her mother passed away - living on sizable annual income that rose each year. She is seen in 1982
Abigail studied at Dominican College in San Rafael, California, for a few years, before transferring to University of Hawaii. After she graduated, she worked at a bank, before she got a job at the Territorial Legislature.
She also made extra money by cleaning horse stalls at a ranch - which further fueled her love of horses and riding, something that went on to become one of her life's passions.
'Much of her inheritance was spent on what gave her pleasure: prize-winning American quarter horses,' wrote Denby.
One of her horses, A Classic Dash, won $1 million in 1993 in New Mexico's All-American Futurity.
Abigail first started inheriting her fortune in 1969 after her mother passed away - living on sizable annual income that rose each year.
But according to Denby, Abigail wasn't very good at saving money, and after spending 'millions' on her horses throughout the '90s, she had to file for bankruptcy protection in 1997.
'She had lavished millions of dollars on the horses. She also spent money on friends, buying them homes and treating them to trips and entertainment,' Denby explained.
Abigail almost went bankrupt in 1997 - after she spent millions of dollars on horseracing. But she emerged from bankruptcy the next year with all her debts paid off
'The horse stables she owned in Hawaii, California and Washington were expensive, state-of-the-art.
'But she emerged from bankruptcy the next year with all her debts and $5 million in back taxes paid off.'
In addition to horses, there was one other thing that Abigail was extremely passionate about - giving back
By 2018, Abigail branded by the American Quarter Horse Association as the industry's 'all-time leading female breeder at the reins of an operation that has produced the earners of more than $10 million.'
In addition to horses, there was one other thing that Abigail was extremely passionate about - giving back.
She managed to fund various causes over the years, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, opposing Honolulu's rail transit project, supporting protests against a giant telescope, maintaining `Iolani Palace, and donating items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani for public display - including a 14-carat diamond from the king´s pinky ring.
In addition, Abigail often donated to 'struggling families' who couldn't pay 'medical expenses for their critically ill children' or 'people who did not have enough money to pay for their relatives’ funerals and burials.'
Abigail often donated to 'struggling families' who couldn't pay 'medical expenses for their critically ill children. She is seen in 2012
But according to Denby, Abigail's donations were rarely 'strategically planned' as she was 'often spontaneous' about the ways she wanted to help others.
'For example, her employees said she read the newspaper from cover to cover every morning, and when moved by a report about a particularly needy case, she would - on the spur of the moment - reach out anonymously to help,' she wrote.
She managed to fund various causes over the years, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, maintaining `Iolani Palace, and donating items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapi`olani for public display. She is seen in 2013
And it seemed like Abigail like to have some fun while dishing out her donations.
'She was always curious about what people would do for money,' Jim Wright, who was her personal attorney from 1998 until 2017, previously said.
He recalled a time when the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu asked for a $100,000 gift to mark the canonization of St. Marianne.
According to Jim, she told him she would give the church the money only if she could get a photo of Pope Benedict XVI accepting her check.
When the bishop agreed, Abigail was disappointed. He explained: 'She was really hoping they would tell her to buzz off.'
Meanwhile, Jim said she found the Dalai Lama's refusal to accept her monetary gifts in 2012 pleasing, adding, 'She was so pleased that somebody actually had some integrity.'
Abigail briefly faced controversy in 1998, when she participated in a photoshoot for Life magazine and sat on an `Iolani Palace throne - but accidentally damaged some of its fragile threads.
The incident led to her being ousted as president of Friends of `Iolani Palace, a position she held for more than 25 years.
A breakdown of Abigail's fortune: What's going to happen next to her massive estate following a three-year bitter legal battle between her wife and former lawyer
Back in 2017, it was reported that the fate of her fortune had inspired a bitter legal battle between her former attorney Jim and her partner Veronica. She is seen with Veronica in 2019
Back in 2017, it was reported that the fate of her fortune had inspired a bitter legal battle between her former attorney Jim and her partner Veronica.
The courts put Jim in charge of Abigail's trust after she suffered from a stroke in June of that year, but Veronica accused him of try to 'take control of the estate for himself,' CivilBeat.org reported.
Jim claimed, however, that Abigail was the victim of 'a high-stakes money grab' and worried Veronica was 'manipulating' the Princess in an attempt to get more of her inheritance.
'One combatant has an interest in getting the money and one combatant doesn’t,' Jim said.
'I’m not a beneficiary. I’m trying to get the money to go where the trust says it was intended to go.'
He also alleged that Veronica was being paid an annual salary of $700,000 for working as Abigail's private secretary, but that she had 'demanded more money' on more than one occasion.
At the time, Jim claimed that Abigail's partner Veronica was 'manipulating' her in an attempt to get more of her inheritance. Abigail and Veronica are seen together in 2018
'There’s been a constant stream of demands for more money,' the lawyer alleged. 'Up until now those demands were resisted.'
He said that when Abigail denied her request, she moved out of their home, but returned after she suffered from a stroke.
The outlet reported that Jim also alleged that Abigail was the victim of 'physical abuse by her partner' and called their romance 'increasingly rocky.'
'Jim said he has photographic evidence that Veronica physically abused the princess and that he plans to share that with the courts as part of the battle over the trust,' the publication said.
Veronica was charged with two counts of attempted theft in 1985, after she and her then-husband, Earl Harbin, were caught trying to sell stolen electronics. She received probation with community service.
Jim explained at the time that Abigail wanted much of her fortune to go towards helping Native Hawaiians through her Abigail K.K. Kawananakoa Foundation.
According to its website, the organization is dedicated to 'maintaining, supporting, preserving and fostering the traditional Hawaiian culture in existence prior to 1778, including its art, language, music, religious practice and social history, while at the same time enabling Hawaiian people to function more effectively in the contemporary global community.'
But Veronica, on the hand, claimed that Jim was the one who was trying to 'take control of the estate for himself' and insisted she had Abigail's (seen in 2020) best interests at heart
Denby echoed these sentiments, writing in her piece for Honolulu Civil Beat that Abigail was 'direct and very clear about where she wanted her money to go after her death.
She recalled Abigail telling her in 2007, 'All I can say is for the rest of my life and whatever means I have at my disposal I will use for the benefit of the Hawaiian people.
'I have always known what I wanted to do. I have always wanted to help the Hawaiian people.'
For years, the two fought it out in court, and in 2020, a judge ultimately ruled that Abigail was not fit 'to manage her property and business affairs' and put Jim in charge of the trust. Abigail is pictured in 2010
Denby continued: 'As far as I know, I am the only news reporter she has ever spoken to on the record about what she hopes will be her legacy.'
'She said she intended to donate funds to make sure that Hawaiian history was taught in an authentic way using primary sources such as documents and letters, not from the secondary sources so often employed in classrooms today.
'She said she would also give funds for the protection and advancement of Hawaiian hula, a cultural tradition she worried had become commercialized to please visitors.
'In addition, she said she would fund institutions furthering the instruction of the Hawaiian language which she worried had become slangy and not authentic.
'Unlike European royalty, Hawaiian alii believe that the wealth they inherited was not for their personal benefit but rather to be managed and preserved to help all Hawaiians.'
Per court documents, Abigail tried to amend her will in 2018, to ensure that her wife Veronica would receive $40 million, as well as all of her personal property, when she passed away.
But in 2020, a judge ruled that Abigail was too impaired 'to manage her property and business affairs.'
'Now her revocable living trust is managed by successor trustee Jim pending its transfer to First Hawaiian Bank as trustee,' Denby reported in her August 2022 article.
'Everything else outside of the trust has been placed under the court-appointed conservatorship of retired Hawaiian Electric executive Robbie Alm.'
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