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It’s weird to think that a woman who does not have biological children would not make a good leader because they don’t care as much about the future. It is an idea foreign to Hawaii and far removed from the reality of Hawaii’s history. We see examples of the opposite every day.

Many of Hawaii’s greatest and most beloved alii wahine did not bear children of their own, though some adopted in the Hawaiian tradition of hanai. However, the commitment of these female leaders to Hawaii’s future was tremendous. Their impact on Hawaii, even today, is beyond measure.

For example, Emma Naʻea Rooke, queen consort of King Alexander Liholiho Kamehameha IV, lost her only child, Prince Albert, when he was only 4 years old. The king died a year later, and though Queen Emma was only 27 years old, and she had many offers, she never remarried or had other children.

She did, however, establish two schools, Iolani and St. Andrews Priory, and often invited the students from St. Andrews to come to her home, which was near the campus. She established Hawaii’s first hospital, The Queen’s Medical Center, which still provides the highest level of trauma care in the islands.

She was forward-thinking and supremely compassionate. What would we do without Queen’s?

Even now, Queen Emma’s leadership reaches new levels. Queen’s just saved struggling Wahiawa General Hospital, breathing new life into a faltering facility so crucial to that part of the island. Queen Emma did not get to raise her child, but she made sure countless other mothers and fathers could raise theirs.

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop did not have children of her own, and she had a rather fraught journey trying to adopt. Her hanai son died very young and she declined an offer to raise another baby. She did, however, care tremendously about the future of Hawaii and bequeathed a portion of her large estate to the education of Hawaiian children.

Today, Kamehameha Schools, the legacy of Princess Pauahi, educates tens of thousands of children statewide each year, from preschool through post-secondary programs, and also provides community learning opportunities, creates curriculum, publishes books and upholds cultural traditions.

Princess Pauahi declined Kamehameha IV’s offer to succeed him on the throne, but her great service to her people makes her one of the most impactful leaders in Hawaii, even today.

Queen Liliuokalani also did not have biological children. She adopted three children, one of whom was her husband’s son whom he fathered in an affair with one of the household staff. That is a special kind of strength and aloha that is hard to imagine.

Her resolve, her strategic diplomacy, and her love for her people while her kingdom was stolen is an example of great leadership during the most difficult times. When she was imprisoned in Iolani Palace by American forces, she wrote of her people’s plight, not her own suffering. She called her people “na pua” or “the flowers,” a poetic reference to “her children.”

In the 1800s, during the lifetimes of these alii, the Hawaiian kingdom was overwhelmed with outbreaks of diseases that came to Hawaii on foreign ships. The birthrate in the kingdom was very low and the infant mortality rate was very high.

Queen Kapiolani suffered a miscarriage during her first marriage and had no children with King David Kalakaua, but she adopted her sister’s sons, David Kawananakoa and Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. She set about establishing a hospital for mothers and their babies, which we now know as Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. She also established an orphanage for the children of patients taken to Kalaupapa for the treatment of Hansen’s Disease.

In modern times, Hawaii has benefitted from the service of female leaders who are not mothers, including Gov. Linda Lingle, U.S. Sen Mazie Hirono, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

We’ve also had Rep. Patsy Mink, Rep. Jill Tokuda and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, all of whom had children. Rep. Pat Saiki had five kids.

Some great leaders are also great parents. Some great parents would make lousy leaders. Some parents aren’t great parents. Some parents put their own kids above all others and don’t care one little bit about children in general. Some parents are great leaders who neglect their own kids. There is no direct correlation between parenthood and fitness to lead a country.

This is all to say that while motherhood is a beautiful thing and an awesome responsibility, it is not the measure of a female leader’s character, ability or dedication to the people she serves. In Hawaii, we know this. We are the beneficiaries of these great women who impacted the wellbeing of their people for hundreds of years beyond their lifetimes.