One of Hawaii’s loveliest public gardens traces its heritage back to one of Hawaiian history’s most influential women. Queen Emma, the wife of Kamehameha IV, was -- and in many respects, still is -- the guiding star behind the spectacular, 100-acre, oceanfront Allerton Garden on Kaua`i.

Her story is intimately intertwined with the creation of this beautiful preserve. Born on January 2, 1836, Emma could trace a long royal lineage including her grandfather John Young, British royal advisor and companion to Kamehameha the Great, and great-grandfather Keliimaikai, a half-brother of Kamehameha the Great. Her parents were also high-ranking alii (royalty).

At her birth, Emma was adopted in accordance with Hawaiian custom by her childless aunt (Grace Kamauki Young) and uncle (Doctor Thomas C.C. Rooke). In 1856, she married Alexander Liholiho, who was the current king of Hawai`I, known as Kamehameha IV.

Known for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, including building hospitals and churches, during a period of mourning for her husband and son—who died at the young age of four—Queen Emma traveled to the island of Kaua`i and explored the Alakai Swamp. After surviving an expedition that had proved fatal for many others before and after her, Queen Emma helped to establish the Lawa`i nature preserve.

Queen Emma originally envisioned the botanical gardens in the 1870s and set up a royal summer home site for herself within the grounds of the garden, overlooking Lawa`i Bay. After –Emma established the original plan, many individuals helped the gardens become what they are today: a 186-acre preserve that reportedly contains the world’s largest collection of rare and endangered plants, and an Herbarium that contains 26,000 specimens of tropical flora.

One of Queen Emma’s additions to the Lawa`i Valley is the deep purple bougainvillea that she had planted along the cliff walls. Purple, traditionally the color of royalty, naturally attracted her to this lovely plant.

IN 1937, Robert and John Gregg Allerton purchased the property with the goal of realizing and expanding upon Queen Emma’s original vision.They transformed the grounds into a formal garden with fountains, waterfalls, pools, flowerbeds that flow with the course of the streams and ocean, and a large collection of European statuary.Part of the grounds is dedicated to the Tropical Fruit Orchard where lush mango, lychee, pomegranate and other delicious treats drip from leafy branches like colorful dew.

The Allerton Garden is open for guided tours, and hosts thousands of guests each year who come to see the lovely flowers and estate of a great and much-loved queen. The grounds include the fore-mentioned gardens, a pristine beach, and a tunnel system that was used as a backdrop for the movie Jurassic Park.

The Allerton is managed in trust by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, part of a non-profit, privately funded research and educational organization that was charted by the U.S. Congress in 1964.

The mission of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is to become a leading resource for the propagation, study, and conservation of tropical planets.

Queen Emma died on April 25, 1885, and was given a royal funeral. She left behind a legacy of charitable and humanitarian efforts as well as a lovely garden and preserve for generations that follow to enjoy. As long as the Allerton graces the Garden Island, Queen Emma will be fondly and gratefully remembered.