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.