Hawaii Celebrates the Summer Palace of Queen Emma

October 2nd, 2009

Music will fill the air Saturday for the 33rd annual Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace.  The large "Hawaiian-Victorian" style home tucked into the Nuuanu Valley above Honolulu was the summer retreat of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV.  It is carefully preserved with furnishings and household objects of the royal family.

You can tour the summer palace at other times, but the annual celebration provides special treats.  Last year, I watched women showing how Hawaiians pounded tree bark into cloth and then saw actual articles of kapa clothing that have been preserved on display inside the house.  Men also were pounding taro root into poi alongside examples of traditional Hawaiian weapons (fierce despite a complete absence of metal).  Throughout the day, musical performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band to traditional singers to contemporary groups alternated with hula performances of various kinds.

One of the surprises was a display of Hawaiian quilt-making techniques.  Piecing quilt blocks was a popular pastime for women in my family in my younger years but the Hawaiian women took this basic technique taught by early missionaries and made it into a completely new art form.  There was a completed quilt, a quilt-in-progress showing how it is composed, books on various aspects of Hawaiian quilt-making and small blankets or pillow covers available for purchase.  It was like a one-stop shop for elements of Hawaiian history and culture.

I was amused that the house was described as a summer escape from the heat and dust of Honolulu – it can’t be more than a couple of miles from the beach and the buildings of Honolulu are clearly visible.  It didn’t seem like such a short distance could really make a difference.  But surrounded by lush vegetation on the palace grounds and protected from an afternoon light mist by the thick leaves of enormous trees, I was convinced.  Hawaii’s microclimates allow this retreat to be a cool, refreshing escape within hiking distance of the beach.

The palace is an entertaining and educational stop for any Hawaii vacation.  If you happen to be here on the first Saturday of October, it is also a slice of living history.  Admission is just $6 for adults and $1 for children.  Proceeds from the Saturday event help to support the preservation of the Summer Palace (Hānaiakamalama) and Hulihe’e Palace in Kailua-Kona.

Posted by Cindy Scheopner  Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner

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Entry Filed under: Customs, Practices and Pastimes, In General, Oahu, Uncategorized