Interesting Facts About King Kamehameha I

Article Courtesy of Hawaiian Springs Water

Published 6/10/16. Reprinted with permission

Photos Courtesy by Architect of the Capitol & W. Nowicki

Kamehameha Day was established December 22, 1871 by King Kamehameha V to honor the memory of King Kamehameha ‘The Great’ who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810.

Birth: Halley's Comet: Pai’ea

Traditional mele chants indicate that Kamehameha was born in the winter months of 1758 during the year of Halleyʻs Comet.

Hawaiian prophecy said a light in the sky would signal the birth of a great chief and a child would one day conquer the islands.

Kamehameha: The Lonely One

Originally named Paiʻea or hard-shelled crab, Kamehameha was hidden throughout his adolescent years to prevent assassination, living in isolation along the Hāmākua coast of Hawaiʻi.

His uncle Kalaniʻopuʻu trained him as a warrior.

When he finally came out of hiding, he was renamed Kamehameha, The Lonely One.

Naha Stone

Legend told that whoever can move the stone would rule the Hawaiian Islands.

Kamehameha demonstrated his strength, lifting the 2.5-3 ton stone.

The same stone can be seen in front of the Hilo Public Library on Hawai‘i Island.

Splintered Paddle 1797

Kānāwai Māmalahoe or the Law of the Splintered Paddle originated with Kamehameha.

"Imua!"

"Imua e nā pokiʻi a inu I ka wai ʻawaʻawa aʻohe hope e hoʻi mai ai."

Kamehameha’s famous battle cry during the battle of ʻIao on Maui, translated, "Forward, my young brothers and drink the bitter waters of battle. There is no turning back."

Kamehameha's warriors from Hawaiʻi island defeated the Maui warriors at ʻIao valley.

The stream became backed up from the sheer number of bodies and as a result, the battle became known as Kaua‘i Kepaniwai o ʻIao or the Battle at the Dammed Waters of ‘Iao.

woman and child safely lie by the roadside.

During a battle in Puna, Kamehameha encountered several civilians on the beach.

While chasing them to kill them, his leg was caught in the reef.

One of the two fishermen who stayed behind hit Kamehameha on the head with a paddle.

Instead of finishing Kamehameha off, he spared his life.

Years later, the same fisherman was brought to Kamehameha.

Instead of ordering his death, Kamehameha pardoned him, reasoning that he had only been protecting his family and land.