Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last reigning monarch of Hawaiʻi until 1893. She had a summer home that was alongside the Anahulu river near Loko Ea Fishpond. It is said that she would walk from her home to attend services that were offered at the church that was founded by John and Ursula Emerson. They were the 1st missionaries to establish a Christian religion in Waialua, Oʻahu in 1832.
The original site of the Waialua Protestant Church, which was made of pili grass and wooden poles was where Haleʻiwa Joe's sits today. The ruling Aliʻi at that time was Gideon Laʻanui, who was the high chief of Moku O Waialua (District of Waialua). He gifted them the land to establish their church and also made sure the church would be attended by his subjects. After a fire destroyed the original thatched hut church, several other structures were built on the site it presently stands, which is the ancient site of Kepuwai Heiau that is located across the street from Matsumoto Shave Ice. A cinder-block church was built in 1961 which is the current building today. The congregation would call it the “Queenʻs Church” but was officially named Liliʻuokalani Church in 1975 to honor the Queen.
In 1887, then princess Liliʻuokalani attended the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria of England. She was given a beautiful handcrafted clock from Queen Victoria. The clockʻs 12 hour dial numbers were replaced with the letters of Liliʻuokalaniʻs name. The clock has a total of seven dials which tell the days of the week, month, and the phases of the moon among other things. In 1892, a year before Queen Liliʻuokalani was illegally overthrown by the Provisional Government, she gave the clock to the church where it is kept today. It adorns the back wall of the church next to her portrait.
The congregation welcomes visitors when the doors are open. Be sure to enter through the entrance archway that was built in 1910 with no mortar. Also, look up at the churchʻs steeple which sits a copper iwa, or frigate bird holding a fish in itʻs mouth. The Emerson ʻohana and Aliʻi nui Laʻanuiʻs gravesites are clearly marked with white rounded head stones. Itʻs fascinating to stand on the land that the Queen herself laid her footsteps and to be amongst such profound historical figures. Enter with “He mau ke aloha” - with love always. Mahalo!
