The Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust was born out of the aloha and care that a loving Queen had for the children and families of Hawai‘i.
On December 2, 1909, Queen Lili‘uokalani executed a Deed of Trust, which established the legal and financial foundation of an institution dedicated to the welfare of orphaned Hawaiian children. She amended her Deed of Trust in 1911 to include destitute children. Her Deed of Trust states that “all the property of the Trust Estate, both principal and income … shall be used by the Trustees for the benefit of orphan and other destitute children in the Hawaiian Islands, the preference given to Hawaiian children of pure or part-aboriginal blood.”
On November 11, 1917, Queen Lili‘uokalani died in her Washington Place home at the age of 79. She lived her life by her motto, ‘Onipa‘a (be steadfast, established, firm, resolute and determined). Her legacy is perpetuated today through the works of the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust and Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center.
