Emma Naea Rooke became Hawai'i's Queen Emma on June 19, 1856, when she married King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho).
The arrival on May 20, 1858, of the royal couple's son and heir to the throne — Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Leiopapa, a Kamehameha — had brought great joy and excitement for the future of the nation.
But within five years, those promising expectations gave way to tragedy for Emma with the death of Prince Albert in August 1862, followed by the death of Alexander in November 1863.
Throughout the nine-year reign of Kamehameha IV, Emma had worked by his side. She was instrumental in the founding of The Queen's Hospital, and in introducing the Episcopal Church to Hawai'i in 1859.
But Emma's role did not end with the passing of her husband. The dowager queen, who was determined, educated and sophisticated, traveled to Britain to strengthen the ties with Queen Victoria and the British monarchy that had been established earlier by her late husband.
In 1867, a year after her return to Ho-nolulu, she founded St. Andrew's Priory, a school for girls.
Throughout her life, she remained opposed to the idea of Hawai'i becoming part of the United States, fearing it would spell disaster for the monarchy. To that end, she once even attempted to persuade Britain to commit to taking possession of the Islands in the event of an emergency.
Twice, Emma tried to become the reigning monarch, first in 1872, after Kamehameha V died without naming an heir, and again in 1874, with the death of King Lunalilo a little more than a year after he had been elected to the throne.
Emma campaigned against David Kalakaua in a bitter, stormy election that pitted those who sought to strengthen Hawaiian sovereignty against those who wished to accept Western influences.
After her defeat, Emma confined herself to charitable work. She and King Kalakaua later reconciled, although she died in 1885 believing the increasing U.S. involvement in the Islands would lead to disaster.
