I feel like I’m just now starting to get into the lesser visited places in Hawaii. Lesser traveled hikes, lesser known museums. I decided to organize a visit to Queen Emma’s Summer Palace with KOSC last weekend. What better time to visit than the summer!

It was modeled after a New England style home and it felt familiar. There were all of six rooms maybe? The history is confusing to me, but Queen Emma wasn’t actually a reigning Queen, just like a pretend one I guess. She lost both her husband and her only son. This was one of 7 houses she spent her time at. To avoid feeling lonely, she moved her bedroom into the dining room so she could here the chatter of people visiting more easily.

The trip to Europe was an 8 month boat ride. This beautiful hutch was made from Hawaiian Koa wood, shipped to Germany, then shipped back in three pieces. Amazing!

Those big feather duster looking things are important royalty items, like staffs I believe. They are made out of real feather.

She was really great friends with Queen Victoria (via snail mail) and Queen Victoria sent her a watch with a picture of her and a locket of her hair. Apparently that was the thing to do in those days. Hawaiian history confuses me but I am trying! I also remember she was given away at birth as a present to a couple who couldn’t have children, this was called Hanai. She founded Queens Medical Center, the first hospital on Hawaii. You can read more of her history here.