Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 2, 1 February 1991 — Emma was queen of her people's hearts [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Emma was queen of her people's hearts

By Deborah Lee Ward Editor The love of Queen Emma Kaleleonalani for her people and eoneem for their physical, spiritual and daily welfare led her, with her husband King Kamehameha IV to establish enduring institutions of Hawai'i — the Queen's Hospital, St. Andrew's Cathedral and St. Andrew's Priory School.

Remembering the Queen and her living legacy to Hawai'i today was the focus of a eommemorative ceremony at Mauna 'Ala held on Jan. 2, the 155th anniversary of her birth in 1836. The annual service was organized by the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club, under the direction of Eloise K. Frank, president. With prayer and songs, tributes and hula, the memory of the queen was honored by the club and invited guests representing the benevolent societies, state and county government, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen's Medical Center, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

UHA ehauman Moses Keale noted that īn Queen Emma's lifetime she was very concerned about the decline in health among the Hawaiian population, and thus she took action to better the health of her people. The task remains, 155 years later, Keale said, to improve the health of the Hawaiian people. He called upon all Hawaiians and Hawaiian organizations to eome together to achieve this goal. "What is good for Hawaiians is good for all of Hawai'i," he said. Queen Emma was born Jan. 2, 1836, the daughter of Naea, a chief of high rank and Fanny Young Kekelaokalani, nieee of Kamehameha I. She was raised by Dr. T.C.B. Rooke, an English physician who had married her aunt, Grace Kamaikui Young. She was educated at the Chief's Children's school and by an English governess at home.

In 1856 Emma married King Kamehameha IV in an Anglican ceremony at Kawaiahao church. Two years later their son, Prince Albert, was born. The King and Queen helped establish the Anglican church in Hawai'i in 1862. That year tragedy struck when the young "Prince of Hawai'i" took sick and died in August at age 4. The royal eouple grieved along with the nation. The following year, Alexander Liholiho, the king also died. Emma was only 27. Great was the sorrow of the Queen and the nation. The dowager Queen Emma now devoted herself to her people and church, a heroine in life and song. She died on Apnl 25, 1885 at age 49, "Queen of the hearts of people." Rev. Canon W. Eric Potter of St. Andrew's Cathedral said in tribute, "Her life speaks eloquently to the life of women of her race." He

praised her as "an example of Christian heroic love, triumph over catastrophe." While growing up in the Rooke household, Emma was witness to the suffering of her people who sought the care of her foster father. So when she married King Kamehameha IV in 1856, she shared all of his hopes and plans for the people of Hawai'i and supported him, in spirit as well as action, in his efforts to promote the welfare of their people.

Together they envisioned a health care center whieh would serve the people of Hawai'i with eoneem and compassion. Through their personal efforts, they made that vision a reality when the Queen's Hospital was founded. The queen herself visited hospital patients, and encouraged the poor to go to the hospital for care. Emma also showed her love for God and her people, said Fotter, in establishing: • the Ladies of St. Andrew's Cathedral visiting society • St. Cross School in 1864 • St. Andrew's Cathedral, whieh eom-

memorates the death of King Kamehameha IV on St. Andrew's day. Among those present at the Mauna 'Ala service were several beneficiaries of the Queen's education legacy: Department of Hawaiian Home Lands director Hoaliku Drake, a former student at St. Andrew's Priory, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs president Jalna Keala, whose daughter attended St. Andrew's Friory, and Priory School graduates Lillian Kruse of the Ahahui Kaahumanu and Mauna 'Ala caretaker Lydia Maioho.

According to Lillian Kruse of the Ahahui Kaahumanu, the speaker's lectern at Mauna 'Ala was made by her husband August Kruse of koa wood from trees felled on Kaua'i by Hurricane Iwa. It features a carving made by son John Kruse, of Kauila wood to represent the light of the spirit, her husband. The lectern was given to Mauna 'Ala caretaker Lydia Maioho for all to use. It is dedicated to Kruse's "two moms," Lily Alapai Clark, and Mrs. Rose Kruse.

Rev. Canon W. Eric Potter, in tribute to Queen Emma, said, "Her life speaks eloquentiy to the llfe of women of her race."

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Pfacing lei hookupu at the tomb of the Kamehamehas.

OHA chairman Keale speaks to guests at the service.