Despite their high status, Kamehameha and Emma knew plenty of sorrow, deriving first from Captain Cook’s “discovery” of the long-inhabited islands, and the competing interests of businessmen to exploit the people and missionaries to convert them; often they were the same group. The native people were losing control of their culture and succumbing to diseases introduced by foreigners. The king and queen lost their only child at age 4, and the king died heartbroken a year later. Emma declined to rule in his place, and instead devoted herself to building schools, hospitals and churches, including St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Honolulu. In later years when another royal vacancy occurred, she ran for election to resume the position, but lost the vote. Yet she is remembered today with great love; everywhere you turn there is a festival, park, concert or sporting event dedicated to her memory. (Wikipedia)
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