Territorial spouses carved out their roles in varied ways, from traditional wives who raised the children and supported their husbands, to philanthropists and society hostesses.

Perhaps the most personal insight into any of the spouses came from territorial governor Sanford B. Dole.

[2] Beatrice Burns was a nurse and polio survivor; so far, the only governor's spouse of Hawaii who served her term while in a wheelchair.

Jean Ariyoshi helped reforest Hawaii with "A Million Trees of Aloha."

Through her business acumen, a trust fund was created to erect a new residence for Hawaii's governor.