Hawaii’s
Back yard
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Daughters keep faith
for the Queen
Embraced by gardens of lokelani rose, kukui (candlenut tree), lauae and palapalai fern, camphor, miulana (champac), tamarind, mango and more, Hanaiakamalama ("foster child of the moon") was an oasis for Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert.
When summer enveloped Honolulu in a stifling mantle of heat, dust and high humidity, the royal family escaped to this beautiful 2-acre retreat in the cool calm of Nuuanu Valley. There they enjoyed many happy times before the young prince passed away in 1862 at the age of 4 and the King succumbed a year later.
Queen Emma continued to visit Hanaiakamalama until her death in 1885. Rented in subsequent years, the estate fell into disrepair, and in 1913, the Territory of Hawaii announced plans to demolish it so a baseball field could be constructed.
Enter the Daughters of Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that had been founded a decade earlier by seven visionary women -- all missionary descendants who nurtured a deep love for the Hawaiian language, arts and history. One of the goals outlined in the group's mission statement was "to perpetuate the memory and spirit of old Hawaii," which was exactly what they felt the palace represented.
The Daughters, all of whom could trace their direct lineage to a person who was a Hawaii resident before 1880, wound up not only saving the property from the wrecking ball but becoming its steward.
They held bake sales to raise money to shore it up, make the necessary repairs and improvements, and obtain artifacts for exhibits. In late 1916, Hanaiakamalama, now known as Queen Emma Summer Palace, opened as a museum filled with Hawaiian treasures, most of which belonged to the Queen and her family.
Visitors strolling through its rooms today can admire Prince Albert's cradle, handcrafted of native koa, kou, milo and kamani woods; Emma's koa sleigh bed inlaid with brass and mother-of-pearl; her baby grand piano, which she bought in Germany in 1865 and shipped to Hawaii; and Emma's necklace adorned with rolled gold and seed pearls -- a wedding gift from a maharaja of India.
STAR-BULLETIN / 1999
Queen Emma boought her baby grand piano in 1865 and had it shipped to Hawaii. Above, Marilyn Lee lifted the lid as Leiana Woodside looked on.
Some 15,000 people visit the palace each year, about 1,000 alone on the first Saturday in October when the Daughters of Hawaii present "A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace," its biggest fund-raiser of the year.
"It is not only a time for participants to enjoy wonderful food, crafts and entertainment, but to remember Hawaii's past," says Leimomi Stephenson, who's chairing this year's event. "It's sad to say, but there are many kamaaina who've never been to the palace, who don't even know it exists, and it's part of our history -- it belongs to all of Hawaii!"
Stephenson also is disappointed that more people aren't aware of the accomplishments of Queen Emma.
"She and the King went door to door to raise money to establish Queen's Medical Center, which is now the largest private hospital in the state. Emma also established the Episcopal Church in Hawaii and St. Andrew's Cathedral, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And she helped found St. Andrew's Priory and Iolani School, both of which are renowned for their academic excellence."
Some 200 volunteers donate their time, talents and resources to ensure that "A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace," now in its 27th year, goes on without a hitch.
"Pulling it all together is an awesome task," says Stephenson. "We have 20 committees, ranging from parking to entertainment to jams and jellies."
One of the most inspiring stories revolves around the haku lei committee. Each year, about six of these women fly to the Big Island to pick flowers and ferns in the mountains of Hilo and Kona. They're assisted by friends from Hulihee Palace in Kona, also maintained by the Daughters of Hawaii.
Back home the week before the event, the lei makers gather in Emalani Hale, the function room adjacent to the palace, to clean and sort the materials and to weave their creations.
"They're laughing and talking story the whole time they're working," says Stephenson. "They wind up making over 100 haku lei -- each one unique, each one beautiful."
"A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace" is all about aloha.
"This year's event is extra special because 2003 marks the Daughters of Hawaii's 100th anniversary," notes Stephenson. "We want to educate people about Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, and to let them know that this palace has been preserved by the Daughters of Hawaii."
IN ADDITION TO guided tours of the palace, participants will enjoy entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band, Olomana and Halau Hula Olana; an array of ono foods such as shave ice, sushi, homemade baked goods and a Hawaiian plate, complete with poi, laulau, lomi salmon and kalua pig; and a display of vintage attire and fashions by Princess Kaiulani, Mamo Howell and Nake'u Awai worn by members of the Daughters of Hawaii and their auxiliary association, the Calabash Cousins, whose membership is open to anyone wishing to join, including men.
Set up in Emalani Hale, Aunty Ellen's Parlour will feature quality white elephant items donated by the Daughters.
Says Stephenson, "This year, we have an antique, hourglass-shaped, wood-framed mirror; some gorgeous punchbowls and glassware; a beautiful ginger jar; and several handmade koa calabashes. You never know what fabulous things you're going to find!"
Stephenson has no doubt Queen Emma would approve of the annual party the Daughters of Hawaii throw at her home.
"Emma loved music, she loved dance and she loved people. She was such a beautiful person, you would want her for a friend -- and I think of her as my friend. 'A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace' makes me feel as though I'm planning a party for my dear friend."
A Day at
Where: 2913 Pali Highway, Nuuanu
Queen Emma
Summer Palace
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $5 for adults, $2 for children 12 to 17, and $1 for ages 5 to 11, including admission to Queen Emma Summer Palace
Phone: 595-3167
Web site: www.daughtersofhawaii.org
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Daughters mark centennial
A Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace kicks off the Daughters of Hawaii's yearlong centennial celebration. In addition to a coffee-table book documenting their history and notable accomplishments, they're planning three major public events next year:
Feb. 7: King Kamehameha IV birthday celebration, at Queen Emma Summer Palace II. This elegant dinner has been scheduled on the Saturday nearest the King's birthdate, Feb. 9. Located in Lanikai, Queen Emma Summer Palace II is the home of new Hawaii residents Neil Sammons and Ron Hartsough, who were so enamored with the original palace, they constructed a replica of it. Bathrooms, a professional kitchen and other 21st century features were added, but the footprint of their new "palace" closely follows the original 1848 design.
April: Prince Albert Hula Festival, at Queen Emma Summer Palace. The birthday of Kamehameha IV's and Queen Emma's son will be observed with presentations of song and dance by hula halau throughout the month.
Fall: Centennial Luau (location and date to be decided). Plans are in the works for a traditional luau featuring top-notch entertainment.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.
