Emma, Queen consort of Kamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian Islands, 1836-1885 (original) (raw)

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke was born on January 2, 1836 in Honolulu.

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke is also known by the following names: Emalani ("Royal Emma"), Kaleleonālani ("Flight of the Heavenly One"), Kaleleonālan ("Flight of the Heavenly Ones"), following the death of her husband, Emma Alexandrina Francis Agnes Lowder Byde Rooke Young Kaleleokalani, following her Anglican baptizing on October 21, 1862, Wahine Holo Lio ("Horseback Riding Lady"), Princess Emma Naea Rooke, Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke, and Emma, Queen of Hawaii.

Her father was George Naʻea. Naʻea was the son of High Chief Kamaunu and High Chiefess Kukaeleiki. Na'ea's mother was the daughter of Kalauawa, a Kauaʻi noble. She was also the cousin of Queen Keōpūolani, the most sacred wife of Kamehameha I. Additional Naʻea ancestors include Kalanawaʻa, a high chief of Oʻahu, and High Chiefess Kuaenaokalani, who held the sacred kapu rank of Kekapupoʻohoʻolewaikala (so sacred that she could not be exposed to the sun except at dawn).

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke traces her royal lineage through her Great Grandfather Kealiʻimaikai, a brother of King Kamehameha the Great.

Her mother was High Chiefess Fanny Kekelaokalani Young. Her maternal grandfather was John Young. Young served as the military advisor for Kamehameha I. He was also known as High Chief Olohana. Her grandmother was Kaʻōanaʻeha Kuamoʻo and she was a niece of Kamehameha I.

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke was adopted by her maternal aunt aunt High Chiefess Grace Kamaʻikuʻi Young Rooke and her husband, Dr. Thomas Charles Byde Rooke under the hānai tradition. She grew up at the Rooke House in Honolulu.

Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kamehameha was married to King Kamehameha IV. They married on June 19, 1856. The two met while being educated together. Prince Alexander Liholiho (King Kamehameha IV) was also her cousin. Together they had one child, Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kamehameha on May 20th 1858. Queen Victoria served as the child's godmother. In honor of Queen Victoria's husband, Albert, the child was given the name Albert Edward. The child died at the age of four. In 1863, her husband died.

Chosen by Kamehameha III to be eligible for the Hawaiian throne, High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke attended the Chiefs' Children's School. After the death of King Lunalilo on February 3 1874, High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke was one of two potential successors to the throne, along with High Chief David Kalākaua. High Chief David Kalākaua was chosen as the next monarch with a vote of 39 to 6 by the legislature.

The decision to elect High Chief David Kalākaua caused turmoil amongst the majority of the Hawaiian people who were High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke's supporters. To restore civil order the Marines from the American and British vessles were called. Ultimately leaving High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke to be named as the new King.

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke, along with her husband, created the Queen's Medical Center, St. Andrews Priory, ʻIolani School and St. Andrews Cathedral.

High Chiefess Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke died on April 25, 1885, following a series of strokes.