HAWAIIAN CHIEFTESS/HISTORIAN/SUFFRAGIST EMMA AHUENA DAVISON TAYLOR DIED
Born on November 13, 1867, in Honolulu, Emma was educated at St. Andrew’s Priory and befriended Princess Kaʻiulani. Marrying writer/historian Albert Pierce Taylor in 1902, her knowledge of Hawaiian culture informed much of his work. In 1913-14, Emma coordinated a Hawaiian presentation in the Panama-Pacific Exposition. She wrote on Hawaiian culture for the periodical Paradise of the Pacific and was appointed to the Hawaiian Historical and Hawaiian Folklore Commissions. A paper she wrote on Pohukaina led to the site’s protection. Emma was consulted for her translation of Kamakau’s Ruling Chiefs of Hawaiʻi. An important organizer, in 1917, she helped host American suffragists, convincing them to champion suffrage for the Territory. During World War I, Taylor organized knitting units on behalf of Native Hawaiian soldiers. She was a philanthropist and served as premiere of Māmakakaua, a civic organization for the aliʻi (traditional chiefs) and their descendants. Emma died in Honolulu.
Sources: Ka'iwakīloumoku Hawaiian Cultural Center. Wikipedia Photo: Honolulu Star Bulletin (Society Page), 11/11/1916. Public Domain. Source: Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, November 11, 1916, 3:30 Edition, Page NINE, Image 9 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress (loc.gov)
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