Emma was Queen of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1854 to 1863.
Emma was born January 2, 1830 to Fanny Kekelaokalani Young and Georga Naea, and was soon after given to Fanny's sister, Grace, to be raised as her own "hanai" (adopted) daughter. Emma was known for her large, beautiful black eyes. She was 75% native Hawaiian and 25% English.
Emma was raised in a largely British household, as her uncle was British, and her education was British. She started at the Chief's Children's School (also known as the Royal School) at age 5, then had private tutoring from an English governess from age 13 to age 20. Emma was proficient in English, and had knowledge in French, Geography, history, as well as what she picked up helping in her father's medical practice.
Emma married Alexander Liholiho, King Kamehameha IV, June 19, 1856. They had attended the Royal School together. The ceremony was held at Kawa'iahao Anglican Church, and was officiated by Rev. Armstrong. They had one son, Albert Edward, who died at age 4.
In 1861, the King and Queen invited the Church of England to begin a missionary in Hawaii, but Queen Victoria went a step further and declared Hawaii its own Bishopric. Their relationship with Queen Victoria was a good one, so much so that Victoria was named as the godmother of Emma's son, Prince Albert Edward. Queen Emma and King Alexander were baptized into the church in 1862. Only one year later, Queen Emma would find herself a widow, as King Alexander died of complications from asthma.
For the duration of her life, Queen Emma pursued issues that she and King Alexander had both held dear, including the health care of her people, the education of young Hawaiian women, and the Anglican Church in Hawaii. As a young queen, Emma helped establish a hospital, The Queen's Hospital, officially known as Hale Mai O Ke Wahine Ali'i, which was very important due to the constant threat of disease from foreign visitors.
The Queen also established schools for young women in order to educate them, especially in English and Christianity, as well as how to live in their fast changing world and in nursing. Emma worked with the royals who succeeded her husband, but in one brave move, she tried to resecure the throne in 1874.
She campaigned against Col. David Kalakaua, disagreeing with his pro-American position. She lost, but offered her support to King Kalakaua after he won.
Queen Emma died April 25, 1885, having suffered a series of strokes in the two years prior.
She had spent her life fulfilling the role of the Hawaiian matriarch, greatly loved by the Hawaiian people and devoting her life to bettering the lives of those people. She left the majority of her estate in a trust to the Queen's Hospital and scholarships for the schools she helped found, with a portion going to her family. Some of her belongings were left to the Bishop Museum. Queen Emma is buried in the Royal Mausoleum, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA.[1]
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N > Naea > Emma Kaleleonalani Naea
Categories: This Day In History April 25 | This Day In History January 02 | Saints | Royal Mausoleum, Honolulu, Hawaii | Hawaii, Notables
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