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Queen Emma Kaleleonalani
Queen Emma Kaleleonalani, wife of King Kamehameha IV, owned the land under the International Market Place and Waikiki Town Center. She was hanai-ed (adopted and raised) by her uncle who was British and her aunt who was Hawaiian, and was taught both British and Hawaiian ways. While being fluent in Hawaiian, she spoke English with a perfect British accent. She was an excellent horse rider, a fine vocalist, a talented pianist, and a good dancer. Beloved by her people, Queen Emma was a humanitarian, joining her husband in a personal crusade to stem the decline of the native Hawaiian. As a result of their efforts, Queen's Hospital was established in 1859 in Honolulu. Personal tragedy was no stranger to Queen Emma who lost both her four-year-old son and husband before she was 30 years old. To mark her family's tragedy, she took the name Kaleleonalani that means "the flight of the heavenly chiefs." She responded to personal adversity with humanitarian efforts demonstrating a regal aloha spirit. She helped found two schools and helped establish the St. Andrew's Cathedral. Her legacy of caring for the people of Hawai'i continues through The Queen's Medical Center. As successor to Queen's Hospital, it is the leading tertiary care facility in Hawai'i with a reputation that extends into the Pacific and Asia.
King William Lunalilo (1835-1874), the first elected king in Hawaiian history, had a summer residence on these grounds. Hawaiians called him ke ali'i lokomaika'i or "the kind king." During his brief reign of 380 days, he established the leper colony at Kalaupapa, Moloka'i. He worked to make the Constitution of 1864 more democratic. His purpose was to, as so clearly stated by him, "...secure to my subjects all the rights which shall best promote their improvements and happiness." King Lunalilo left his home and property, his "Marine Residence," to Queen Emma who he wanted to succeed him as ruler of Hawai'i.
The land under the International Market Place is part of the lands left by Queen Emma and managed by The Queen Emma Foundation.
The text on this page appears on the Waikiki Historical Trail marker located at the International Market Place, and pictured at right. Click here for a more extensive history of the land beneath the International Market Place.
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