author
Emma Louise Smith Dillingham
1844–1920
A poet, educator, and civic leader in Honolulu, she helped shape cultural and community life in Hawaiʻi. Her writing and public work show a deep affection for the islands and a strong commitment to service.
1 Audiobook
Six prize Hawaiian stories of the Kilohana Art League
by Emma Louise Smith Dillingham, William N. (William Nevins) Armstrong, George Harrison De La Vergne, James W. (James Walter) Girvin
About the author
Born in Honolulu on June 4, 1844, Emma Louise Smith Dillingham grew up in a family closely connected to early missionary-era Hawaiʻi. She later became known as a Hawaiian poet, educator, and civic leader, and sources consistently describe her as an active figure in Honolulu society.
She is remembered not only for her writing but also for her community work. Reliable sources note that she co-founded the Daughters of Hawaiʻi and helped establish the Young Women's Christian Association branch on Oʻahu, showing how much of her life was devoted to preserving local history and supporting women’s organizations.
As an author, she wrote works including Diamond Head (published in 1891), and her name also appears in historical library records connected with Hawaiian stories and other writings. She died on August 15, 1920, leaving a legacy that blends literature, education, and public service in Hawaiʻi.