Theresa M. Haunani Bernardino, a musician, poet and Hawaiian scholar who started the kupuna program used today in public schools, died Aug. 27. She was 56.

Bernardino was a professor of Hawaiian language at University of Hawai'i-Hilo, and from 1972 to 1989 taught hundreds of students as an instructor at UH-Manoa. Many of those students are now teachers in the university system and Hawaiian language immersion schools.

"She was a great teacher, very lively but also very strict," said Kekuni Blaisdell, who studied Hawaiian language with her as an adult. "She was very, very much valued throughout the Hawaiian community."

As a musician and composer, Bernardino played traditional music for more than 20 years with Kaimana, a group composed of Haunani Apoliona, Eldon Akamine and Aaron Mahi. Among her noted musical compositions were "Pili Aumoe," which won first place in a Honolulu parks competition in 1977, and "Lei Kauna 'oa, Lei Kahakai," another award-winning song.

As a Hawaiian scholar she researched and edited various works on topics such as kapa and indigenous language immersion. People often consulted her on their own translations, Blaisdell said.

She also authored several Hawaiian children's books.

"Haunani was a talented and gifted Hawaiian scholar of letters, the arts, music and all areas of Hawaiian culture," said Pua Brown, a longtime friend and part-time District and Family Court Judge in Hilo. "She was aloha and we were blessed with knowing her."

She is survived by five siblings, one niece and many aunties, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends.

A service will be held Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church in Honolulu. Visitation is at 4 p.m; service at 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. 'Aha 'aina to follow. Flowers and lei are welcome. Private scattering of ashes to take place later.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.