Kamehameha I

Kamehameha I

Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha The Lonely One (circa 1756 - 1819), unified the Islands Hawaii by means of battle and established formally the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. It established ties of friendship with the main powers of the Pacific, preserving thus the independence of Hawaii, guaranteeing the peace and the prosperity for the future generations. The figure of Kamehameha emphasizes especially by the vehemence of its defense of the Hawaiian traditional values and of the kapu system that governed the laws and the religion. Also it has passed to the history by the mamalahoe or the Law of the splintered oar, that continues in vigor everywhere and that protects the human rights of the combatants in times of war.

In the year 1871, Kamehameha V established for decree the festivity, Kamehameha Day, in honor of the king Kamehameha I. This festival continues being celebrated every year June 11. Likewise, a statue in its memory was erected in Hauling, headquarters of the judicial system of Hawaii. Other two identical statues exist in Kohala and in the Capitol of the United States.

Unification of Hawaii

Upon dying his son followed him. Nephew-grandson of questioned his right to the throne with the support of its nephew Kamehameha. He died in a violent clash in Kealakekua Bay and was declared victorious. Thanks to his faithful support, Kamehameha was named assistant.

In 1779, Kamehameha traveled to Kealakekua Bay. While there he came across Lono, the Hawaiian goddess of fertility, which arrived aboard a great canoe with flags. In reality did this was not Lono, but of Captain James Cook and the HMS Discovery. This was the first contact of Kamehameha with the white man: it would not be the last.

Servant in the cut of its uncle, Kamehameha acquired importance in 1782, upon dying. Although the kingdom passed the son of Kamehameha who achieved a noticeable religious position as the guardian of the Hawaiian king of war nevertheless, the evil relations between the two cousins existed. The motive was that Kamehameha delivered a murdered body to the Gods.

Kamehameha was transferred then to the district of Highland in 1790, deposing its leader, Keoua, being exiled to its home and took advantage of the absence of Kamehameha and instigated a disturbance. When Kamehameha returned with their army to appease the rebellion, Keoua fled crossing the volcano, which entered eruption to putting an end to the life of a third of their warriors, due to the poisonous gases that freed themselves.

After asking to a kahuna cúal was the best form of being done with the remainder of the island, Kamehameha decided to build a heiau. When he finalized the construction of the temple, Kamehameha invited to Keoua to meet him. Keoua, who was not a fool, carried with himself with the thickness of the army that still he conserved. As soon as he stepped in, one of the leaders of Kamehameha threw a spear at him. According to some testimonies, he avoided it but fell for the fire of the muskets. The bodyguard of Keoua was caught by surprise, they died. With Keoua dead, they supported him captured or murdered; Kamehameha became ruler of every Island.

In 1816 the Hawaiian flag was established, with the Union Jack British in the left upper corner and eight bars that represent the eight main islands.

> back to Top
> back to the Information Guide