Queen Emma's Summer Palace, 2913 Pali Highway, Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI

Significance: Although no definite date of construction has been established, it appears that this house was built in the late 1840's by John G. Lewis, Hawaiian born son of a ship captain. It was purchased from him by John Young II, son of a Hawaiian High Chiefess who was Kamehameha I's niece and John Young I, a trusted advisor to Kamahameha. In 1856, he willed it to his niece, Queen Emma, wife of Kamehameha IV, who used it as her summer home until her death in 1885. The Hawaiian government purchased the house and land in 1890 at auction, leasing the house until 1911 to the Spencer family. In 1915 Territorial Governor Pinkham signed an executive order giving the maintenance of the house to the Daughters of Hawaii who were to use the house as museum. The organization has continued to be custodian of this state property, repairing it throughout the years. A major restoration was effected in 1959. Architecturally, the design is an excellent response to the climate and the views with its lanais (porches), high ceilings and many doorways to the exterior.

Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-16

Survey number: HABS HI-17

hawaii emma queen emma summer palace summer palace pali highway pali highway honolulu honolulu county historic american buildings survey photo queen emma summer palace ultra high resolution high resolution governors museum gallery salon library of congress

1950 - 1970

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

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