Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 3, 1 March 1989 — Frances Haliʻa Frazier: A Lover of Language [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Frances Haliʻa Frazier: A Lover of Language

Frances Hali'a Nelson Frazier, in her years of work as a translator of Hawaiian language, has delved deep into the heart of Hawaii's history. She is most often concerned with land conveyances and court documents and oecasionally provides testimony to court cases. Born on O'ahu and

educated at McKinley High School and business school, the part-Hawaiian Frazier traces her ancestors to Wainiha, Kaua'i. This strong affinity led her to move to Kaua'i in 1976, with her husband Harold, a retired engineer. She took her Hawaiian name, Hali'aaloha in memory of her Hawaiian grandmother, for use in a language class with Dr. Sam Elbert. She worked forthe Board ofWater Supply,then was later a volunteer at Bishop Museum as one of Mary Kawena Pukui's typists. She says she was "very fortunate" to have been with Hawaii's leading scholar during the 1950s. She also was administrative assistant to Bishop Museum planetarium director George Bunton for three years. In the 1960s, the Fraziers were in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) for his work. On returning she worked for the State Archives three years, translating the Native Register — nine volumes of claims of Hawaiian people at the time of the Mahele. Though it was hoped geneaologies would be recorded, Frazier said little was found. Instead she found herself fascinated by the intricacies of land transactions, an interest whieh serves her well in her translating work today.