Hānaiakamalama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Queen Emma Summer Palace
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Hānaiakamalama (Queen Emma Summer Palace)
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 Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 2913 Pali Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000420 |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 1972 |
Hānaiakamalama, also known as Queen Emma Summer Palace, was a special getaway for Queen Emma of Hawaii. She used it from 1857 to 1885. Her husband, King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward, also enjoyed staying there.
Today, this beautiful palace is a historic landmark, a museum, and a popular place for visitors. It is located at 2913 Pali Highway in Honolulu, Hawaii. You can reach it in less than ten minutes from downtown Honolulu. The museum is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Daughters of Hawaii group helps keep the palace running. They use money from entrance fees, the gift shop, and other fundraising efforts.
Contents
The Palace's Story
Hānaiakamalama is found in the Nuʻuanu Valley. This valley was a favorite spot for Hawaiian chiefs and royalty long ago. Later, other people living in Hawaii also liked it. They found the cooler mountain air much nicer than the warmer downtown Honolulu. The Hawaiian name "Hānaiakamalama" means either the Southern Cross or refers to a kind goddess.
How the Palace Was Built
The main part of the house was built in Boston in 1848. It was then shipped all the way to Hawaiʻi by boat, traveling around Cape Horn. Once it arrived, it was put together on land that John Lewis had bought from the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. The house had six rooms, was one story tall, and featured a porch with Doric columns. This style is known as Greek Revival architecture.
Royal Owners and Changes
In 1850, just two years after it was finished, Keoni Ana (also known as John Young II) bought the house at an auction for $6,000. Young owned the estate until 1857. Then, he gave it to his niece, Queen Emma.
In 1869, Queen Emma added a large new room to the back of the palace. This room was called the Edinburgh Room. She built it especially for the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Saving the Palace
After Queen Emma passed away in 1885, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi bought the estate. In 1911, Governor Walter F. Frear announced it would be a park. The City and County of Honolulu was supposed to take care of it. At one point, there were even plans to build a baseball park right over the site!
However, a group called the Daughters of Hawaii stepped in. They were able to get the building and have worked hard to fix it up and keep it as a museum. The palace was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
What You Can See Today
Today, Queen Emma's Summer Palace sits on a 2.16-acre (0.87 ha) piece of land. The Queen Emma Estate owns the land, and the Daughters of Hawaii group takes care of the palace. The gardens around the house are beautifully designed. They feature many plants that are native to the Hawaiian Islands.
The house itself is a museum. It shows off many items that belonged to Queen Emma. You can also see things from her husband, King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward. There are also items from other Hawaiian royal families.
Here are some of the main rooms and what you can find in them:
- Entrance Hall: Look for tall feather standards called kāhili and the royal coat of arms.
- Front Bedroom: This room was once the dining room. It has a large bed made of Acacia koa wood. You can also see Prince Albert's cradle, Queen Emma's sleigh bed, and Prince Albert Edward's bathtub.
- Parlor: Here you'll find Queen Emma's baby grand piano. There are also three beautiful feather capes. A koa wood dining table and chairs are also on display. Don't miss the imari porcelain jardinière given by Emperor Meiji to King Kalākaua.
- Cloak Room: This room holds a royal feather cloak.
- Back Bedroom: See Queen Emma's koa wood bed and Prince Albert Edward's koa wood crib. There's also a display cabinet with Prince Albert's velvet suit and other items.
- Center Hall: This hall features a silver christening vessel given by Queen Victoria. You can also see a tiger claw necklace. A stereopticon given by Napoleon III during Queen Emma's visit to France in 1865 is here. Look for kapa cloth artifacts and more feather standards (kāhili).
- Edinburgh Room: This room has a royal cabinet with china given by Queen Victoria. You'll also see rosewood furniture, a piano, a chair, and a settee.
The palace also displays many important portraits. These paintings show historical figures like William Charles Lunalilo, John Young II, Julia Alapai, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha III, Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Queen Emma of Hawaii, and Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli.
Nearby Places to Visit
Not far from Hānaiakamalama is the Pali Lookout. This spot is famous for the battle of Nuʻuanu Pali. In this battle, Kamehameha I defeated the forces of the King of Oʻahu. This victory helped Kamehameha I become the ruler of all the Hawaiian Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Hanaiakamalama para niños
