HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A ceremony at Royal Mausoleum State Monument in Nuʻuanu honored Queen Liliʻuokalani on Thursday, celebrating her recognition as a saint in the Episcopal Church.
Hawaii’s last monarch ascended to the throne on Jan. 29, 1891.
Episcopal sainthood process
“Sainthood in the Episcopal Church has to do not so much with miraculous events that surround the person, but rather the contribution of their lives moving into continuity generations down,” said Coline Aiu, Sons and Daughters of Hawaiian Warriors Mamakakaua.
The process started in 2014 by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii to recognize her refusal to use bloodshed during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and her ongoing legacy of peace, forgiveness, spiritual resilience and reconciliation.
In 2024, the Episcopal Church added Queen Liliʻuokalani to its global calendar of saints.
“We now have a date that’s going to be on the calendar for her to be commemorated,” said Dr. Kahu Kaleo Patterson.
“It’s very unique of course in the calendar of saints are indigenous people in a place like Hawaii that has had rulers who are Christians that acted with true intentions of justice and mercy,” Patterson said.
King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma are already venerated as saints in the Episcopal Church.
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