[Reprinted from pcc50.com, the Polynesian Cultural Center‘s 50th-anniversary website, which is no longer active, on September 10, 2013. Original interview and photo by Mike Foley.]
Introduction: Haunani Ka’uhane Kaanaanā Nash was originally from Keaukaha on the Big Island, but she grew up in Kaneohe, then moved to Hauula to attend Church College of Hawaii in 1956.
It wasn’t until 10 years later she started working at the Center and remained for a total of 19 years. During that time, she became one of the first female managers at the PCC.
After Haunani (whose first name was Marjory) left the PCC, her first husband died. She became a school teacher, remarried, and eventually moved to Henderson, Nevada, where she passed away on May 31, 2017.
In her own words: I was not a hula dancer, so I wasn’t involved with Polynesian Panorama at CCH. Later, my family moved to the mainland, but when we came back for a visit in 1963, the PCC had just opened and the first person I saw was Emosi Damuni.
I had never in my life seen a Fijian, and he was the most handsome fellow. I have a picture of him and me . . . and I thought, gee, if I ever come home, I might want to work here.
We moved home in July 1966, the year some of the PCC people went on tour to Japan, so they were hiring replacements off the streets. I told my husband, Jimmy
Kaanaanā, who worked here for a little while in Maintenance, I should go apply.
From Guides to overseeing the villages: I started in the Guide department, and we also stood in for ushers at the show.
From there, it seemed like I worked everywhere. I worked in the Box Office, in Maintenance, in the Personnel Office, and from there I got an offer from Bill Cravens to oversee the newly combined Villages and Guide Department.
Village “chiefs” up in arms: The village “chiefs” got up in arms; they didn’t like that a female was going to be their boss.
They went to see Brother Cravens, but he supported me and told me not to worry about it — and it was okay.
At first, the Samoans were the loudest against me, but they ended up loving me the most. No matter what I asked of them, they never complained. They just did it. They were wonderful, and I think I soon got everybody’s support.
Working with my sisters: Several of my sisters also worked at the PCC: Noelani [Ka’uhane Tahu], the youngest, was only 13 when she started, and eventually was an alaka‘i [hula leader] with Aunty Sally [Wood Naluai]; Pualoke Ka’uhane Dela Cerna worked in the Hawaiian Village; Maile Hallums worked in the Guide Department for a little while; Naomi [Ka’uhane], I can’t remember which department she
worked in; and Josie Ka’uhane Kahiapo, my secretary who later retired from PCC Food Services.
Fun times: We had some fun times. I remember one New Year’s Eve somebody came with a box of fireworks. After the villages closed, and the night show was about the start, somebody said, can’t we just burn one. Okay, just one, which turned into all of them. I also remember getting thrown in the water so often.
During the years I worked here, I particularly loved the chance I had to meet the Prophets. I met President Joseph Fielding Smith, President [Howard W.] Hunter, my favorite was President Spencer W. Kimball, and later I had lunch with President [Gordon B.] Hinckley.
I miss working here. I loved it. Everybody I knew and my friends, they all envied me my job. My brother-in-law asked me if I was ashamed to get paid to work here, and I said, no. Isn’t it wonderful?
This was the best place to work.
