Marion was a researcher into Polynesian history and land use. She worked at the Bishop Museum and did a lot of publishing. John didn’t publish that much but was active. She was 1/16 Polynesian.
When WWII came along, John joined the Navy and he was stationed aboard a ship. The military was having trouble with its submarines firing torpedos. John volunteered to tie a rope around the torpedos to study why there were misfiring. It later became the basis of a story in the Honolulu Advertiser.
John’s father was an artist who liked to do pictures of local people at his studio at Black Point. Marion was one of his models.
Anthropologist and lifetime progressive political activist Marion Kelly helps clean up a fishpond on the Achi property (24 June 1979) Negative: 4071-4-4
Marion Kelly speaks at her 80th birthday celebration. John Kelly smiles with her (June 1999) Negative: 9033
Marion Kelly speaks to students at UH Manoa Ethnic Studies department (1972) Negative: 2577-2-35
Marion Kelly at Ethnic Studies meeting with Jim Anthony. (circa 1972)
Marion Kelly and Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell at the Blaisdell home for Tribunal meeting (2000)
Dorothy Curtis (center), Marion Kelly (right), and Molokaʻi Hawaiian woman- Molokaʻi project for Honolulu Academy of Arts (29 March 1987) Negative: 6065-14
Anthropologist and political activist Marion Kelly returns from working on Mokauea Island. (8 April 1979) Negative: 4050-5-4
John and Marion Kelly (center) observe dedication of pre-contact canoe on Mokauea Island. Also, Inchan Canencia, Herbert Yamada, Esmond Kilaulani, Valisa Kilaulani, Jack Peterson, and Junior Pauahi
Marion Kelly (18 July 1985) Negative: 6042
Marion Kelly (date and photographer unknown)
Marion Kelly at anti Stryker protest. (circa 2005) Negative: 9124-5-33
Marion Kelly well wishers, her 80th birthday party. (June 1999) Negative: 9033
Marion Kelly at her 80th birthday party with John Kelly (June 1999) Negative: 9033