Hawai'i State Visit

Julene Ignacio, Hawai'i State Regent

February 11, 2025

It was wonderful to visit with our Hawai'i Daughters and experience the warm spirit of Aloha. Every moment in Hawai'i was meaningful, from exploring Iolani Palace and DAR markers to honoring service members at Punchbowl Cemetery. A highlight was the Hawaiʻi Merci Boxcar Rededication, celebrating historic preservation and dedicated volunteers. My heartfelt thanks to the Hawaiʻi Daughters for their warm hospitality and to State Regent Julene Ignacio and State Vice Regent Laura Ingenluyff for their wonderful planning. Mahalo Nui Loa and Aloha!

- Pamela Wright, President General

Our Hawaiʻi daughters had the distinct honor and pleasure to host our beautiful President General, First Vice President General and America 250! National Chair during their visit with an exciting itinerary filled with fun and lots of Aloha. They were welcomed in true Aloha spirit and presented with a lei and gift bag from the Hawai’i daughters upon their arrival. Friday included a royal tour through Iolani Palace by Historian Zita, a walking tour to the King Kamehameha I statue, a DAR marker that was placed in front of the State Library in memory of the civilians who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack, and Queen Liliuokalani’s statue next to the State Capitol. We were proud to provide a tour of the Aloha Chapter hale and posed with our Founder and first Chapter Regent Agnes Hall Boyd Judd’s portrait, as well as our Genealogy Library with over 6,000 books. We ended our day with a delicious meal at the Monkeypod Restaurant in Waikiki.

Saturday we were joined by members of the Hawaiʻi Loa chapter and started this blessed day on a very passionate and amazing tour of the Court of the Missing (MIA) at Punchbowl Cemetery led by Aloha Chapter member, Natalie Rauch. Natalie provided very touching stories on some of the names on the wall including her father and mentioned some of the names with DAR connections. At the Aloha Tower, we visited the DAR marker in honor of CPT John Kendrick at Walker Park. Hawaiʻi Loa member Margaret Russo provided the story behind this American Revolution Patriot. By this time, everyone was ready for lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. And when in Hawaiʻi you must visit Leonard’s food truck for their onolicious malasadas! And we certainly did!

Sunday was the capstone event, the Hawaiʻi Merci Boxcar Rededication ceremony, hosted by the Hawaiian Railway Society. The ceremony was phenomenal! There was also an amazing toy museum to visit. Donations for the upkeep of this gorgeous boxcar were made by President General Pamela Wright, Hawaiʻi Honorary State Regent Jane Mann, and State Vice Regent Laura Ingenluyff. The President General and Hawaiʻi State Vice Regent were proud to present Jeff Livingston with the prestigious DAR Historic Preservation Medal for leading the restoration efforts with many volunteers including Aloha Chapter members. He was completely surprised and speechless. We enjoyed a fantastic train ride on Passenger Car 57 and Parlor Car 64 both built in the1920’s. After the train ride, we enjoyed light snacks provided by the Hawaiian Railway Society. This visit could not have been more perfect! Thank you to President General Pamela Wright, First Vice President General Virginia Storage, America 250! National Chair Kathryn West, members of the Hawaiʻi State Executive Board, Aloha Chapter members, Hawaiʻi Loa Chapter members and our Pages Elizabeth Stevens and Harmony Ingenluyff for making this such a memorable visit! Mahalo Nui Loa!