An inherited retreat for Kamehameha IV's wife Queen Emma, Hānaiakamalama (now Queen Emma Summer Palace) was acquired by the Daughters of Hawaii in 1915, twelve years after the organization was founded. Daughters of Hawaii, a non-profit group of women whose Hawaii roots pre-date annexation, restored the Palace and now offers tours for a nominal fee. The Palace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It seems many people are underwhelmed by the seeming lack of grandeur for a "palace". Even by today's standards for many in Hawaii, this is living on a grand scale. In the context of the mid-1800s especially, I'm certain this would easily have qualified as palatial.
Tour guides are full of aloha spirit, highly knowledgeable, and bring the story of this place and Queen Emma to life.
There is a wonderful gift shop on-site, and several events held here throughout the year. Check their website's calendar for upcoming events.
If you visit, in addition to a guided tour of the Palace, don't forget to walk the grounds. Among the features is a historic 'auwai (irrigation ditch) on the east side of the property. Nu'uanu Valley was once a breadbasket for the island, extensively terraced for kalo (taro) cultivation. Russian naval officer Otto von Kotzebue described the valley's taro field landscape as "picturesque" in 1821.
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| 'Auwai in foreground. |
A luna wai (water boss) was in charge of apportioning the water. Water rights to an 'auwai were allocated based on the number of men required to build it. Water use was restricted to the cultivation of kalo and the time allowed for its diversion from the 'auwai to any particular field depended on the size of the field.*
Over time, kalo cultivation gave way to rice cultivation, which gave way to residential development. In modern times, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply maintained the 'auwai until the 1970s, and now each individual property owner in the valley is responsible for maintaining his own section. Some property owners appreciate the rich history of this area and dutifully care for the 'auwai while others neglect or have even infilled them. The Nu'uanu Valley 'Auwai Study Group was formed to try to restore and preserve the 'auwai.**
* See third link.
** See second link.