DORA LIU KRAUL: CELEBRATING A CENTENARIAN & CANON

[Chronicle, March 9, 2023]  Dora Liu Kraul has a lot to celebrate these days, and the many people in the Diocese whose lives she has touched are celebrating right alongside her!  On February 19, 2023, Dora became an official centenarian! But that wasn't all. Just a few days later, Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick appointed and inducted her as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.  Both accomplishments are extraordinary, but for those who know her well, it's not surprising.

At 100 years young, Dora still drives, has a memory that people decades younger would envy (she remembers all the Hawai'i Bishops fondly, Presiding Bishops, and several Archbishops), continues to be actively involved in church activities (including being a delegate to Convention), and maintains her delightfully feisty and witty temperament!  But it is what she has done and continues to do for the Diocese and churches she attends, that garnered her the title of Honorary Canon. The list is long, impressive, and remarkable, considering that along with church activities, she held a full-time job, had a family business, was a real estate agent, and raised a family--all at the same time!

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An Honorary Canon of The Cathedral of Saint Andrew

The certificate presented to her by the Bishop mentioned some of the roles she has taken on, stating:
"... the Eleventh Bishop serving in these Hawaiian Islands, do hereby appoint and induct Dora Liu Kraul as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, for her ministry to the Parish of St. Clement, Honolulu, and the Church of the Holy Apostles, Hilo, as Senior Warden, Member of the Vestry, and Delegate to Diocesan Convention, and for her service to the Diocese as a Member of the Diocesan Council, a Deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Assistant Treasurer, and member of many committees and commissions over the course of decades..." 

Dora with Bea and the Bishop after a special lunch to celebrate her new title.

Dora was born on February 19, 1923, to Mary Yuk Lan Ho and Liu Man Seong in Honolulu. She was the third of six children and the eldest daughter.  Her grandparents had immigrated from China when her mother was 8 years old. Her grandfather was an herbalist that came to Hawai'i with a Christian group (YMCA), and was an active member of the First Chinese Christian Church.  

"He was a wonderful man," remembers Dora of her grandfather, who had planted the seeds of Christianity. While she calls The Parish of St. Clement her home church and has maintained her membership there even when she moved away, her first impression was less than stellar, if not dreadful.  Years later, she would be quoted in the church's newsletter about that first experience, and how it helped shape the way she welcomes others into the church.  It was 1943, and Dora was just twenty when she moved to Makiki.  One Sunday she decided to check out nearby St. Clement's. ​

"It was an all haole church and no one spoke to me," said Dora. "I didn't feel welcome at all."  After a second visit, she stopped going.  Some time later, the Rev. Tanner Brown, rector of St. Clement's, came knocking on Dora's door wondering why she didn't come back after two visits.  She told him bluntly that she didn't feel comfortable-- that the members were all haole and not friendly to this young "Pākē (Chinese)" girl.  He told her to come back, and that next Sunday, she gave it another shot.  This time when she arrived, a woman greeted her and stayed by her side, introducing her to others who also welcomed her warmly. Dora has been a member ever since.

It wasn't long before she was confirmed by Bishop Harry Kennedy and immersed herself in the life of the church. She was elected President of the ECW and the "Tuesday Toilers," a sewing group made up of "older rich women."  Dora laughed, questioning in retrospect, "Why me? I was so young!"  She earned a reputation of being a great cook, and prepared meals for up to 100 people at a time.  When Bishop Kennedy was invited to St. Clement's he always asked if Dora was cooking. Through the years, Dora  organized events, meetings, fundraisers, and hosted dinners at her home. She was deeply involved at the Diocesan level as well serving on countless committees and serving as a deputy to General Convention seven times!  

​(Click HERE to read a great "Parish Personalities" write-up about Dora by Father Brian Nurding back in 1981. She was the Senior Warden of St. Clement's at the time.)

 In her personal life, Dora graduated from McKinley High School in 1941, and then attended a business college. She proudly calls herself a "Carnegie person" after being a part of the first Dale Carnegie class taught in Hawai'i.  All during high school and college, she worked to help put herself through school. After completing business college, she worked as an Executive Secretary at Aloha Airlines before becoming an Administrator with the company. 

Dora has two children, Jon and Pam (Fern), from her first husband, Clement Rickard.  Dora and Clement would eventually go their separate ways when the children were still young, but they remained on good terms.  She later married Sydney Kraul whom she shared 52 blissful years with before his passing a couple years ago. 

"He was a God-send," said Dora, "our love never wavered. It was a happy marriage with a strong love." Together, they built a business with two stores in Ala Moana and Kahala. He was also a Manager with Pan Amerian Airlines while she juggled work with Aloha Airlines and selling real estate. 
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​When asked how she managed to find the time to do everything and raise a family, Dora said, "I made the time, even if it meant working at night. I never give up. I'm serious and don't fool around."  But she was quick to add, "I enjoyed every minute of it!" 

An avid sports fan, Dora even manages to squeeze in time to cheer on her favorite teams, "...you know, NFL football, volleyball... I'm a very very strong sports person!" shared Dora.  She's even been known to play a wicked game of golf!

Memorable (and silly) moments

"When Ed Browning was Bishop, Archbishop Robert Runcie came to Hawai'i, and I was put in charge of distributing 500 tickets for a Garden Party event amongst 40+ churches. It was a big event in Nu'uanu. The Archbishop greeted and hugged me and said 'That's why I love to come to Hawai'i. I get to kiss all the women.'" 
(Click HERE to read Ed Browning's thank you letter to Dora for her role with this event.)

On being a deputy at General Convention..."The first time I walked onto the floor at General Convention, it was like walking into the United States Congress! There were thousands of people in this [giant hall]. Because I was the newest deputy, I was the 'gopher,' passing out lots of paperwork and running errands." 
(Dora has since been a member of seven Deputation teams, long past the "gopher" stage!)

When Rudy Duncan, the Treasurer for the Diocese (1979-1991) made Dora the Assistant Treasurer ("I was asked to do it and I did it"), Dora remembers joking with him and saying, "Okay, shall I write myself a check now?"
(Click HERE to read a letter from Rudy to Dora's Real Estate Company praising the Krauls)

In 1995, Sydney and Dora retired, sold their business, and moved to the mainland where they lived for five years. St. Clement's threw a large farewell reception for them, and to this day, Dora maintains her membership there. ​

In 2000, the Kraul's moved back to the Islands and took up residence in Hilo, a place that Sydney loved.  Dora was not thrilled at first, thinking about the rain that Hilo is known for, but she quickly got used to it. 

​She started attending Holy Apostles and soon found herself serving on the Vestry.  She continues to be very active and even started a Birthday Ministry, calling members on their special day, singing "Happy Birthday!"

After her husband passed away, Dora discovered a wonderful support system in the members of the congregation, some who have become her "hānai" nephews and nieces. "They always look after me and cook for me," says a grateful Dora.

Reflecting on her decades of church involvement, Dora has the following advice, taken from her own experience 80 years ago:  "When you see people coming into the church, especially if they are alone, go and talk to them!  Welcome them! People will not come back if they do not feel welcomed."  

"I am so blessed. There are so many people I am thankful for."

Happy 100th Birthday Dora!

Dora celebrated her 100th birthday in grand style with friends and family on two islands, first in Hilo at the White Guava Cafe on February 18, and then in Honolulu at The Parish of St. Clement on February 25.  ​

​Nearly 150 people attended the festive events where food, laughter, balloons, lei, and memories were abundant. 

​Pictured at right at the Hilo gathering, is Dora with Doug Adams who is the Director of Research & Development for the County of Hawai'i. He presented Dora with a Proclamation from Mayor Mitchell Roth.

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"People ask how can I remember everything?  I say, how can I forget? I have enjoyed everything and everyone.  I love people!  You don't ever forget good people, good friends.  You don't ever forget what they do." 

Congratulations & Mahalo nui loa for all that YOU do Dora!

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Story:  Sybil Nishioka, Editor
Mahalo Dora, for taking the time to share your story, and to Pam Fern for the great background info on your mom.
Mahalo to the Rev. David Glaser who spent hours poring over photos and articles with Dora and making sure they got to the right place.
Other photo credits: Colonel Deb Lewis (USA, Ret.), Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick, Sonny Liu, Kathy Cooksey, Sybil Nishioka, and our churches on Facebook!