The Royal Mausoleum State Monument is a sacred place for Hawaiians and a popular tourist destination for those interested in learning more about Hawaiian history and culture. It is the final resting place of Hawaiian royalty, including members of the Kamehameha and Kalakaua dynasties and their servants. The driving force behind most of the changes in Hawaiian culture was a woman referred to by the missionaries as the nation's reformer, Queen Kaahumanu. On December 4th, 1825, she was baptized and given the name Isabella - an appropriate name for a woman so strong in both body and mind that she was six feet tall. The Vancouver diary reveals that there was a deep affection between Kaahumanu and her husband, however, when he returned to the islands the following year, he found that Kaahumanu had become estranged from Kamehameha.
It was during her convalescence that Sybil Bingham, who visited her every day, finally convinced her to learn the alphabet. Queen Kaahumanu was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum State Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii. The mausoleum is open to visitors who wish to pay their respects and serves as a reminder of Queen Kaahumanu's legacy and her impact on Hawaiian culture. Her life and accomplishments are celebrated by Hawaiians today, and her burial site serves as a reminder of her courage and strength.
