What Is the Queen Emma Summer Palace?
This was the summer retreat of Queen Emma and her family in the cool Nu‘uanu Valley!
What Makes It Historical?
Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke was born into the lineage of Kamehameha I (the Great) through his brother, Kealiʻimaikaʻi. As part of that line, she was eligible to take the throne and went to the Chiefs’ Children’s School for official royal training. That’s where she met her cousin, Prince Alexander Liholiho, whom she later married with much controversy because Emma was part Hawaiian and part British!
Nonetheless, Prince Liholiho became Kamehameha IV, and she became Queen Emma, inheriting this mountain palace from her uncle, John Young II, whose father had been an advisor to King Kamehameha I! From 1857 until 1885, his house gave the royal family a reprieve from the heat of the coast, and here they had four good years with their son, Albert Edward. Sadly, the prince died mysteriously in 1862, and the king died a year later!
Queen Emma was heavily favored to take full control of the throne after her husband passed. After all, she had founded the Queen’s Hospital in 1859 and visited patients there regularly. She was very active in the Episcopal Church, which still celebrates her and her husband every November 28 with the Feast of the Holy Sovereigns! So, as you can imagine, there was great outrage when the Legislative Assembly voted 39-6 in favor of her opponent, David Kalākaua! The riots led to military intervention by both the Americans and the British!
Later in life, Queen Emma would embark on a grand tour, visiting Italy, France, and Germany before spending time with her friend, Queen Victoria, in England. She met with President Johnson in 1866 as well as leaders of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Cherokee nations! It was the first time a queen had visited a US President and the only time a Hawaiian official made a visit to mainland tribes! Today, Queen Emma is remembered for her medical work, her church patronage, and her support of education for girls!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with the Daughters of Hawaiʻi!
- Donate to the Daughters of Hawaiʻi!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
2913 Pali Hwy.
Honolulu, HI 96817
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The Queen Emma Summer Palace is open for tours Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM!
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