Veronica Mandella

February 22, 2018

English 9

Queen Emma

Queen Emma Kalanikaumakaamano Nae'a Rooke was the Queen consort to King

Kamehameha IV. She was an inspiring woman who cared about her people and the

islands of Hawaii. She was a talented woman who dedicated most of her life to

humanitarian causes, especially after the death of her husband and son.

High Chiefess Fanny Kekelaokalani Young gave birth to her daughter Emma

Kalanikaumakaamano Nae'a Rooke on January 2, 1836. Emma was adopted at birth by

her mother's sister, Chiefess Grace Kama’iku’i Young Rooke and her husband, per the

Hawaiian tradition called Hanai. She went to Chiefs Children's school until they shut

down in 1849. After that her adopted father Thomas Rooke hired an English governess

to tutor Emma and continue her education. Emma was well known for being a talented

vocalist, pianist, dancer, and equestrian. She was also known for her love of reading and

writing.

Emma got engaged to Alexander Liholiho, soon to be King Kamehameha IV in

February of 1854. They married about two years later after he became king on June 19,

1856. Together they established the Queen's Hospital later known as the Queen’s

Medical Center. The hospital provides free healthcare for people of native Hawaiian

descent. Emma and Alexander went from door to door collecting money to fund and

build the hospital. It opened on August 1, 1859. Emma gave birth to her son Prince

Albert Edward Kamehameha on May 20, 1858. He was the last child ever born to a

monarch in Hawaii. Soon after his fourth birthday Albert fell ill and died in August of

1862. A year later Alexander Liholiho died. It is thought the cause of his death was a
 Veronica Mandella
February 22, 2018
English 9

broken heart from the loss of his son.

After the death of her husband and son, Emma was nicknamed Kaleleonālani which

means flight of the heavenly ones. She dedicated the rest of her life to helping the

Hawaiian people. In 1874 after the death of King Kamehameha V, Emma got back into

the political world. She ran for Queen against David Kalakaua. Emma had the support of

her people but lost the election by an overwhelming margin to Kalakaua. After that she

established the St. Cross School in Lahaina and St. Andrew's Priory, as well as helped

build St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Queen Emma also has lots of land on the islands of

Hawaii which the Queen Emma Land Company manages. All the money generated from

this land goes to the Queen's Medical Center on Oahu.

Queen Emma achieved many great things in her lifetime and will always be

remembered in Hawaii for her generosity to the Hawaiian people. She is an inspiration

and an amazing role model because of her love for the islands and its people.

Citations
 Veronica Mandella
February 22, 2018
English 9

“Queen Emma.” myhero.com. My Hero, 23 Jan. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2018.

<https://myhero.com/kalanikaumakaamano_kamehameha_HS_05>.

“Emma Rooke.” sites.google.com. Hawai'i DIgital Newspaper Project, n.d. Web. 23 Feb.
2018.
<https://sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/ndnp-hawaii/Home/subject-and-topic-
guides/emma-rooke>.

UpClosed. “About Queen Emma of Hawaii /.” UpClosed, upclosed.com/people/queen-

emma-of-hawaii/.

Queen Emma dies - Hawaii History - Short Stories,

www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&PageID=309&returntoname=Sho
rt.