King Kamehameha I: Unifier of the Hawaiian Islands

King Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, was born around 1758 in Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. His early life was filled with legend and prophecy. According to Hawaiian tradition, a prophecy said that a baby born under a bright star would become a great ruler. Fearing this prediction, local chiefs tried to kill him, but he was hidden and protected until he grew up.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Kamehameha was a strong and skilled warrior from a young age. He trained in Hawaiian martial arts, learned to navigate the seas, and gained a reputation for bravery. After the death of his uncle, King Kalaniʻōpuʻu, Kamehameha inherited important religious and political responsibilities, including the care of the war god Kūkāʻilimoku. Over time, he gathered followers and built alliances with powerful chiefs, preparing to unite the islands under one rule.

Unifying the Hawaiian Islands

In the late 1700s, Hawaii was divided among rival chiefs. Kamehameha’s dream was to bring peace and unity. Using advanced weapons gained through trade with Europeans and Americans, he built a strong army and navy. Through a combination of diplomacy and warfare, Kamehameha conquered one island after another. By 1810, he successfully unified all the major Hawaiian Islands, becoming the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Leadership and Legacy

As king, Kamehameha created laws to protect his people, such as the Law of the Splintered Paddle, which protected civilians and travelers. He encouraged trade, improved agriculture, and maintained peace across the islands. Kamehameha ruled wisely until his death in 1819. His leadership brought stability to Hawaii and laid the foundation for a unified kingdom that lasted nearly a century. Today, he is remembered as one of Hawaii’s greatest leaders, and every June 11th is celebrated as King Kamehameha Day.

Discussion Questions

1. What made King Kamehameha’s leadership different from other Hawaiian chiefs?
2. How did trade with Europeans and Americans help Kamehameha in uniting the islands?
3. Why was the Law of the Splintered Paddle important to Hawaiian society?
4. How did Kamehameha’s unification of the islands shape Hawaii’s future?

Glossary

• Prophecy: A prediction about the future.
• Chief: A leader or ruler of a Hawaiian district or island.
• Diplomacy: Managing relationships and negotiations between groups or nations.
• Kingdom: A country or region ruled by a king or queen.
• Unification: The act of bringing together separate parts into one whole.

Five Interesting Facts

1. Kamehameha’s full name was Kamehameha Paiʻea.
2. He was over six feet tall and known for his great strength.
3. He used European cannons and ships during his battles to unite the islands.
4. The Law of the Splintered Paddle is still part of Hawaii’s legal system today.
5. Statues of King Kamehameha stand in Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas.

Timeline

• c. 1758: Kamehameha is born in Kohala, Hawaii.
• 1782: Begins campaigns to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
• 1795: Wins the Battle of Nuʻuanu and gains control of Oʻahu.
• 1810: Completes unification of all major Hawaiian Islands.
• 1819: Dies in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.