Footsteps3

Her remorse, however, seemed
to only strengthen Emma's
humanitarian efforts. She
helped to organize the District
Visiting Society, composed of
ladies who volunteered to aid
the sick and the poor.
Though she was dedicated to
health care, she was also keenly interested in the welfare and
education of young people. She adopted numerous children. She
helped to found and support two schools, St. Cross in Lahaina
and St. Andrew's Priory. She was also devoted to the Anglican
Church and went to England to raise the funds ($30,000) for
the construction of St. Andrew's Cathedral.
When King Lunalilo died in 1874, she became a candidate for
the throne. Lunalilo had wanted her to succeed him, but he
failed to make the legal pronouncement before he died. Had he
done so, she would have reigned as Queen. Instead, an election
for a new sovereign was held. She campaigned actively and colorfully
with campaign songs and chants. Although she believed she
had a chance to win, she was defeated at the hands of the legislature
which selected David Kalakaua. Her followers rioted and
stormed the assembly hall wounding several legislators.
Emma died on April 24, 1885 at age forty-nine. She was given a
royal funeral and was laid to rest in Mauna 'Ala beside her husband
and little son.
She left the bulk of her estate in trust for the hospital. Today the
estate consists of 13,000 acres, 10,000 of which are on the island
ofHawai'i and the rest on O'ahu including some valuable land
in the heart ofWaikilci.
11