Following the overthrow of the monarchy, on January17, 1893, her husband Joseph Nāwahī became the president of Hui Aloha ʻĀina oNa Kane (Hawaiian Patriotic League for Men), a patriotic group founded shortly after the overthrow to oppose annexation and support the deposed queen. Emma joined the corresponding female organization, the Hui Aloha ʻĀina oNa Wahine (Hawaiian Women's Patriotic League), which was under the leadership of Abigail Kuaihelani Campbell as president. She served one of the member of the executive committee of the organization in 1893 and later served as the Secretary of the Hilo Branch of the League.