The Queen's Garden - Honolulu, HI - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, in addition to being noted Hawaiian dignitaries, were staunch political advocates and humanitarians. Their primary concern was the health and welfare of their people. One of their most signi?cant accomplishments was the establishment of The Queen’s Hospital (now known as The Queen’s Medical Center), the ?rst healthcare facility to address the rapid decline of the Hawaiian population.

The establishment of this healthcare facility was a labor of love for the King and Queen, demonstrating the responsibility they embraced to malama (take care of) the maka‘ainana (common people). Adequate healthcare services were not available when the outbreak of Western diseases occurred. In the King’s ?rst speech, he focused on the need for a hospital, acknowledging the collapse of the Hawaiian population due to these diseases. The King viewed extinction of the Hawaiian people as an imminent possibility without the establishment of a healthcare system to address the needs of the population.

With insufficient resources in the Kingdom’s treasury to open a healthcare facility, the King and Queen went door-to-door asking citizens for donations to support a new hospital. Their efforts raised over $13,000 within a month — nearly double their goal. By 1859, enough money had been raised to open The Queen’s Hospital with 18 beds.

A year later, a much larger facility was opened with 124 beds on the site of the current hospital.

Queen Emma was fond of plants and gardening. The ?rst doctor employed by The Queen’s Hospital, Dr. Hillebrand, was also a botanist. He is credited with introducing several species to the islands, including one of the Queen’s favorites, the pink Bombax. Another of the Queen’s favorites, the Queen’s Lily, named in her honor, once graced the ponds outside her home. A beautiful garden still exists today at The Queen’s Hospital.

To this day, lokomaika‘i (goodwill) is still central to the Queen’s Hospital’s mission, inspired by Queen Emma’s motto, “people are the key to healing.” Upon her death, Queen Emma’s lands were bequeathed in a trust to fund her hospital. The approximately 13,000 acres of holdings include lands on Hawai‘i Island and Kaluaokau in Waikiki. The Queen’s Garden honors the healing spirit of the Queen, her hospital and her mission to always act with generosity and kindness toward others.

Group that erected the marker: International Market Place Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 2330 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, HI USA URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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