Isabella Bird
Isabella Bird, who visited Queen Emma in 1873, described as Rooke House as "the most English-looking house I have seen since I left home, except Bishopscourt at Melbourne." During the Royal Election of 1874 between Emma and David Kalakaua over who would succeed William Charles Lunalilo, Rooke House served as a gathering place for the supporters of Queen Emma, called "Emmaites" or "Queenites". The residence was the scene of mass gatherings of Hawaiians and some British with chants celebrating Emma's rightful claim to the throne.