Kamehameha I

Intro

Birth

According to legend the kahunas predicted that an great king would be born on the night a comet passed over the islands of Hawaii. And so it goes that Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s Comet made an appearance over Hawaiian skies. Two other dates are also commonly accepted: November 1737, or May 1, 1738.

Kamehameha was born Paiea on the Big Island of Hawaii. His father was said to be Keoua, a grandson of Keaweikekahialiiokamoku, who once ruled a large portion of the island. Translated, Kamehameha means "the lonely one."

Early Life

Another legend tells of a kahuna who prophesized that the man who moved the 7000 lbs (3175.2 kg) Naha Stone would become the greatest king of Hawaii. According to the legend, at age 14 Paiea not only moved the stone, but lifted it and turned it completely over.

Wars

In 1782 Kalani`opu`u died, and power was divided between his son, Kiwala`o, and his nephew Kamehameha. Kiwala`o became king, and Kamehameha was given guardianship of the Hawaiian god of war, Kuka`ilimoku, as well as the district of Waipi`o. Due to previous encounters there was already bad blood between the cousins. When a group of chiefs from the Kona district offered Kamehameha the kingship instead of Kiwala`o, he accepted eagerly. Among the five Kona chiefs supporting Kamehameha was Ke`eaumoku Pāpa`iahiahi (Kamehameha's father-in-law), Kalua`apana Keaweāheulu (Kamehameha's uncle), Kekūhaupi`o (Kamehameha's warrior teacher), Kame`eiamoku and Kamanawa (twin uncles of Kamehameha).

The Big Island

The Battle of Moku`ohai

19°27'19"N 155°55'22"W

Kiwala`o's half-brother Keōua Kuahu`ula had been left with no territory from his late father. He went into a rage, cutting down sacred coconut trees and killing some of Kamehameha's men. Their bodies were offered as a sacrifice to Kiwala`o, who accepted them, and Kamehameha felt he had to respond to the challenge to his honor.

The two armies met just to the south of Kealakekua Bay, near the present-day community called Ke`ei. As tensions escalated women and children from both sides fled to the "place of refuge", Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau.

Once the battle was under way Kame`eiamoku was the first leader to be injured in battle. As Kiwala`o approached him however, Kamanawa knocked him down with a stone from a sling, allowing the injured Kame`eiamoku to slit his throat with a shark-tooth dagger.

During this battle the renowned red feather cloak of Kiwala`o (now in the Bishop Museum) was captured by Kamehameha.

With the victory at Moku`ohai, Kamehameha took control of the districts of Kohala, Kona, and Hamakua on the island of Hawai`i.

The Raid on Puna District

The only other notable combat in Kamehameha's quest for dominance of the big island of Hawaii is the raid on Puna district. In 1790 Kamehameha moved against the district of Puna, deposing its chief, Keawema`uhili. During the raid Kamehameha had been chasing local fishermen when he got his foot caught in a crevice in the hardened lava. The fisherman then turned back and began beating Kamehameha with paddles until they broke on his back. The fishermen then turned and fled, and Kamehameha ordered his aids not to follow the men, but to help him back to the canoe instead. One story goes that one of the fishermen then turned and threw a spear, which struck Kamehameha's most trusted adviser, however this part is not included in most tales. This event would later inspire Kamehameha to create Ke Kanawai Mamalahoe, or the Law of the Splintered Paddle.

Other events in the taking of the Big Island

1790 Footprints

Keoua Kuahu`ula, having been exiled to his home of Ka`ū, took advantage of Kamehameha's absence and led an uprising. When Kamehameha returned with his army to put down the rebellion, Keoua fled past the volcano, Kilauea, which erupted and killed nearly a third of his warriors from poisonous gas. Through fossilization the footprints of Keoua, his army, and the residents of the area have been preserved in what is called the 1790 Footprints.

Keoua Slain

Upon questioning a Kahuna on the best way to capture the rest of the island, Kamehameha decided to construct a Heiau, or temple, Kuka`ilimoku, as well as lay an ali`i's body on it. When the Pu`ukoholā Heiau was completed in 1791 Kamehameha invited Keoua to meet with him in the Kona district. Keoua most likely knew what Kamehameha was planning, but decided to meet with him anyway, presumably due to heavy losses and a hope for peace. Some accounts say Keoua may have mutilated himself beforehand to make him an imperfect offering. Upon arrival one of Kamehamehas chiefs threw a spear at Keoua, slaying him. Other accounts say he dodged the spear, but was immediatly cut down by musket fire. Either way, with Keoua out of the way Kamehameha's domination of the big island of Hawaii was complete.