HAWAIIAN CONSORT EMMA KALANIKAUMAKAAMANO NAE’A ROOKE (“QUEEN EMMA”) BORN
Born in Honolulu, Emma, or “Royal Emma,” was daughter of High Chief George Na’ea and High Chieftess Fanny Kekelaokalani Young. In 1856, she married Alexander Liholiho who, in 1855, became Kamehameha IV. In 1859, she established Queen’s Hospital and, in 1867, St. Andrew’s Priory to educate Hawaiian girls. Her only child, Prince Alfred Edward Kamehameha, died at the age 4, in 1862. Her husband died one year later without designating a successor. At this point, she changed her name to Kaleleonalani, “Flight of the Heavenly Ones” and became a candidate for election to the throne, challenging David Kalakaua. Despite popular sentiment, the legislature, which elected the monarch, voted for pro-American Kalakaua. Her defeat caused rioting that was put down with the help of British and American troops in the harbor. She later became close friends with Britain’s Queen Victoria as both had lost children and spouses. She died on April 2, 1885, in Honolulu.
Sources:
“Hawaii: Biography,” FAM People.com. Retrieved 6/5/2019, http://www.fampeople.com/cat-queen-emma-of-hawaii
Jessica from Pukalani, “Woman Hero: Queen Emma.” My Hero web site. Retrieved 6/5/2019, https://myhero.com/kalanikaumakaamano_kamehameha_HS_05
Photo: A. A. Montano (1847-1913), circa 1880-81. Hawaii State Archives. Public Domain in U.S.: Pre 1/1/1925. Public Domain elsewhere where copyright term is author’s life plus 70 years or less.