150th King Kamehameha Day Celebration

TGI

kamehamehaday.hawaii.gov

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS F R I D AY

S A T U R D AY

JUNE 3

JUNE 11

The Kings Gala at Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi 5-9 p.m.

Kohala King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping King Kamehameha Statue, Kapaʻau Kohala 5:45 a.m. Morning protocol begins at sunrise; royal procession, hālau performances and receiving lei 7 a.m.; and lei draping 8 a.m.

S A T U R D AY JUNE 4 King Kamehameha Pāʻū Parade Ala Mālama Avenue, Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi 4 p.m.

King Kamehameha Hoʻolauleʻa Ball Park, Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi 5-10 p.m.

F R I D AY JUNE 10 Hilo King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping Hilo Bayfront Park, Hawaiʻi Island 5 p.m.

King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping Ali‘iōlani Hale, Honolulu 2:30 p.m.

Kohala King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade Kapaʻau, Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island 9 a.m.

105th Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade Beginning at King Street fronting ‘Iolani Palace, head down Punchbowl Street, before making a left on to Ala Moana Boulevard and eventually Kalākaua Avenue, finishing at Monsarrat Avenue and Queen Kapi‘olani Park, Honolulu 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kona King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade Starts on Kuakini Highway near Old Airport heading south, turns down Palani Road to the pier, and travels along Ali‘i Drive in Historic Kailua Village, ending near Royal Kona Resort at Wālua Road.

9-11:30 a.m.

Kona King Kamehameha Celebration Ho‘olaule‘a Huliheʻe Palace, Kona, Hawaiʻi Island 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kamehameha Paniolo Heritage Rodeo Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

King Kamehameha Celebration Ho‘olaule‘a Kapiʻolani Park, Honolulu 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha ‘Ekahi Heiau ʻO Māmalahoa Royal procession from Moku Ola to the Kamehameha Statue in Downtown Hilo 9 a.m. at Kamehameha Statue

KING KAMEHAMEHA C E L E B R AT I O N COMMISSION Per Hawai’i Revised Statute 8-5, the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission is responsible for overseeing all celebrations honoring King Kamehameha I on or around the June 11th holiday working closely with an established network of volunteers statewide who oversee the celebrations ensuring they are executed and promoted.

COMMISSIONERS Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chair, Kainoa Daines

S A T U R D AY

‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu, Louise Alina

JUNE 18

Hale O Nā Ali‘i of Hawaiʻi, Vice-Chair, Ian Custino

Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade Lāhainā, Maui 9:45 a.m.

Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Ho‘olaule‘a Lāhainā, Maui 9 a.m.

M A H A LO TO

Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors Māmakakaua, Puakeʻala Mann Daughters of Hawaiʻi, Kehaulani Keanaʻaina Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kēhau Peʻa Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, Nāpuʻunoa Crabbe Kapahulu Music Club, Kimo Alama Keaulana Papakōlea Community Association, Vacant Waimānalo Hawaiian Homestead Association, Vacant Island of Hawaiʻi, Desiree Moana Cruz Island of Kauaʻi, Lyah Kama-Drake Island of Lānaʻi, Vacant Island of Maui, Moanikeʻala Whittle-Wagner Island of Molokaʻi, Vacant

Support provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program

KKCC Executive Director, Amy Hammond

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CELEBRATING the 150TH ANNIVERSARY of KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY

It’s a day to unite the community, for a king who united the islands.

Preserving the Hawaiian culture has always been important to us.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center, we’re proud to join in celebrating this year’s Kamehameha Day festivities. It’s a chance to honor a great monarch, and at the same time, bring together the people of Hawai‘i.

Better your PCC experience by joining the free ‘Ohana Club. Members get special discounts, free tickets to concerts and more. Plus, upgrade to a Kama‘āina Annual Pass for additional member benefits. To sign up, visit PCCOhana.com.

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Celebration Commission continues rich tradition

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s the chair of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Kainoa Daines has the tremendous kuleana (responsibility) of carrying on a rich legacy and tradition, while also representing the prestigious Royal Order of Kamehameha I. He and his fellow commission members continually dedicate their time and experience in helping to honor King Kamehameha I on June 11 annually throughout Hawai‘i Nei via a series of celebrations that was first started in 1872.

“I was first appointed by the Royal Order in late 2007 and have been involved in some capacity since then,” says Daines, who became the Honolulu Parade Chair in 2011 and currently serves as co-chair with Clint Kalaola. “My great-grandfather, Samuel Alo, Sr., of Wailuku, Maui, represented

the Royal Order on the Commission back in the 1950s and 60s and ran the parade on Maui for several years. It’s a familial kuleana.”

The King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was created in 1939 by the Territory of Hawai‘i, 20 years prior to statehood. The organization falls under the state’s Department of Accounting and General Services and includes 15 members appointed by

the governor representing 10 community groups, including at least one member from Kaua‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i Island.

For those interested in learning more about King Kamehameha I and his indelible legacy in Native Hawaiian history, Daines encourages doing research by reading some or all of the following books includ-

ing “Kamehameha: The Rise of a King” by David Eyre; “King Kamehameha The Great: Warrior King of the Hawaiian Islands” by Leilani Makua; “Kamehameha: The

Warrior King of Hawai‘i” by Susan Keyes Morris; “Kamehameha: Destiny Fulfilled” by Allan Seidan; “Kamehameha the Great” by Julie Stewart Williams; “Kamehameha: The Boy Who Became a Warrior King” by Ellie Crowe and Don Robinson; and “Kohala Kuamoʻo: Naeʻoleʻs Race to Save a King” by Kekauleleanaeʻole Kawaiʻaeʻa and Aaron Kawaiʻaeʻa.

“It’s important to keep the life and legacy of King Kamehameha I relevant for future generations,” says Daines in anticipation of the 150th anniversary of the Kamehameha Day holiday and accompanying celebration. “The art of pā‘ū is a great place to ride in a

parade honoring ali‘i and paniolo heritage. Or, you can volunteer. Every event on each island needs help. These events don’t produce themselves.

Tireless, often thankless volunteers pull these events together every year. It’s a part of our traditions and we need everyone involved. Everyone has something to offer!”

KKCC recognizes and honors the late Ali‘i Sir William Souza of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, former Chair of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission.

To learn more about and participate in an array of events happening across the state, visit KamehamehaDay.Hawaii.Gov.

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CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY

E OLA KA ‘OIWI MAY OUR PEOPLE BE HEALTHY

The Queen’s Health System is dedicated to providing quality health care services to Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawai‘i.

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Iconic statues recognize a lasting legacy

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any locals and visitors alike look to multiple statues of King Kamehameha I on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island as enduring reminders about Hawai‘i’s rich monarchical history.

Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha I, Hawai‘i’s first king, including three in Hawai‘i and one in Washington D.C. A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha’s unification of Hawai‘i was significant not only because

it was an incredible undertaking, but also because under separate rule, the islands may have been divided by competing global interests.

The people of Hawai‘i wanted to celebrate the rule of King Kamehameha V with a holiday in his honor on December 11, his birthday. However, he preferred to celebrate the life of his grandfather and the father of the Hawaiian Kingdom, King Kamehameha I. The holiday was officially proclaimed by Kamehameha V, Lot Kapuāiwa, who humbly selected the date of June 11 as it was the furthest from his birthdate.

The first celebrations fea-

tured fairs and carnivals plus foot, horse and velocipede races. During his reign, King Kalākaua commissioned an 18-foot bronze statue in honor of King Kamehameha sculpted by Thomas Gould in Florence.

The most recognized and photographed landmark Kamehameha statue is on O‘ahu and stands in front of Ali‘iōlani Hale (home to the Hawai‘i State Supreme Court) across from ‘Iolani Palace, just a block away from historic Kawaiaha‘o Church and the State

Capitol. Dedicated in 1883, this was the second statue created after the ship delivering the original statue from Europe was lost at sea near the Falkland Islands off Cape Horn.

On the Friday closest to June 11 (Kamehameha Day),

the statue is ceremoniously draped with wreaths of flower lei to celebrate Hawai‘i’s greatest king. For over 100 years in Honolulu the ʻAha-

hui Kaʻahumanu have been spearheading the Lei Draping Ceremony. The royal

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The statues’ colorful history From page 6

society celebrates the life of Queen Kaʻahumanu and preservation of Hawaiian culture. Dedicated volunteers gather flowers and sew up to 90 – 30-foot lei to be draped on the Statue. They perform hula and other cultural observances to honor Kamehameha, royal husband of the late queen.

The original statue that went overboard during its transport was later found and was installed in North Kohala on Hawai‘i Island near King Kamehameha’s birthplace.

The third statue of him resides in Hilo, and the fourth, replica

of the first two is housed within the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center’s Emancipation Hall in Washington D.C. According to King Kamehameha Celebration Commission Island of Hawai‘i Commissioner Desiree Cruz, the Hilo statue holds special meaning primarily to the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association (KSAA) Māmalahoa chapter as that group’s members were responsible for fundraising to bring that statue to Hilo from Kaua‘i in the 1990s after it had languished in storage at a hotel property that was damaged during hurricane Iniki.

Cruz notes that since the statue was relocated to Hilo, the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association hui has maintained kuleana to care for and maintain the statue and serves as a model along with other community groups that keep Native Hawaiian history and culture alive and thriving.

To find a list of community events happening across the state in honor of King Kamehameha I, visit KamehamehaDay. Hawaii.Gov.

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or the last 150 years, the people of Hawai‘i have come together and commemorated King Kamehameha Day, and 2022 is no different. In fact, it may be cause for even more celebration as pandemic restrictions continue to ease and the Garden Island community can gather once again.

“This year marks the 150th anniversary of the King

Kamehameha Celebration,” says Lyah Kama-Drake, King Kamehameha Commissioner, Kaua‘i. “It’s a time to honor our ‘ohana by celebrating the foundation paved by our kūpuna as we perpetuate Hawaiian culture for future generations.”

On June 11, bring your family and friends to Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e, located at 3610 Rice

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St., formally the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort, for the King Kamehameha ‘Ohana Day Celebration.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can revel in the aloha spirit and watch a special appearance and protocol procession of the 2022 King’s Court as well as live entertainment by masters of cere-

Congratulations on 150 years

of celebrating this important cultural occasion for the people of Hawai‘i

CHAPTER 3 KAUMUALI‘I R OYA L O R D E R O F K A M E H A M E H A I

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A cultural celebration on the Garden Island From page 9

monies Da Braddahs and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Ei Nei and Mike Ka‘awa & Friends.

“It’s a form of normalcy, for lack of a better word, that we can gather and just listen to Hawaiian music and laugh with Da Braddahs, but at the same time, pay homage to history and the royals,” says Chucky Boy Chock, executive director of Kaua‘i Museum.

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Cultural keepsake From page 10

throughout the state,” he continues. They’re zany, funny, witty — all of that. They’ve been comedians for years now. It’s not an easy business, but they always make people laugh. Mike Ka‘awa & Friends have been around (for years). He played with the greats … and is one of the greatest 12-string guitar players. The other group, Ei Nei, are traditionalists. They play old-time Hawaiian music but they’re young. They do it really well and they always bring joy, and you can tell they enjoy their craft.”

Free to attend, eventgoers can also participate in cultural activities while relishing in a beautiful garden courtyard setting that’s placed in the heart of the resort’s property.

When asked why celebrating King Kamehameha is fundamental, Kama-Drake replies, “I believe it’s very important to preserve and honor traditions especially passed down from generation to generation.”

A descendant of Hewahewanui, Kama-Drake says he was kahuna nui, or senior advisor, to King Kamehameha and a professor of many skills.

“He was the overseer of other kāhuna who specialized in different technical attributes like healing, farming, voy-aging and hunting, to name a few,” she says. “He was notably known as a kahu, or spiritual leader, for the royal families and for Hawai‘i.

“It is of great kuleana to serve as my kūpuna did and I am very proud to share their stories.”

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Daughters and Sons of the

Hawaiian Warriors

I MUA KAMEHAMEHA!

E Ola Kamehameha Pai‘ea

– MAMAKAKAUA

On the 150th anniversary of the first Kamehameha Day holiday, we honor the namesake of our organization, Kamehameha ‘Ekahi. It was the sincere wish of our founder, Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop, to see young Hawaiians emulate the noble traits of character of her great-grandfather who was known as a revered warrior king, innovator and diplomat.

Today, their legacy continues through the work of Kamehameha Schools, as we nurture and uplift haumāna in their journey to explore and inspire our lāhui and the world.

ksbe.edu

celebrating

150 years

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king kamehameha The pulse of paradise

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Pā‘ū on parade day

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ong before cars, buses and trains, Native Hawaiian women would opt for horseback as their favored mode of transportation.

Since there’s no way to roll up the windows while dashing in the wind, they had to get inventive.

“In order to protect their formal wear when traveling by horseback to events, the pāʻū holo lio or kīhei holo lio was conceived,” explains Kimo Alama Keaulana, who chairs the Kamehameha Day Parade pā‘ū wrapping. “A kīpola, or poncho-like top, was created to protect the bodices and blouses. Women rode astride on western-style saddles as opposed to side saddles and women often galloped. As they galloped, the beauty of their pāʻū would fly in the wind.

Ribbons would be secured to the kīpola and added to hats to create a festive streaming effect.

“When the automobile was introduced, new laws were in-

troduced,” he adds. “Women galloping on horseback in their pāʻū, finery, ribbon and lei were outlawed. A few exhibitions were held but people had missed these spectacles in the streets. Pāʻū riders became far and few between.

Pāʻū riders made their maiden parade experience in the 1907 Washington Day Parade. Their nostalgic appearance delighted parade audiences but their galloping was missed. People loved the pāʻū riders and their appearance has been a ‘must’ in every Hawaiian parade ever since.”

While the graceful pā‘ū riders make it look so easy as they strut through downtown Honolulu, there’s a lot (to put it lightly) that goes into prepping for this cultural event, whether that be time or money.

It’s a fact that Keaulana, whose father and aunt rode in King Kamehameha Day Parades in the ’60s and who was taught how to wrap a pā‘ū in his midteens, knows well.

He explains that equestrian abilities are paramount and, up until the ’70s, pā‘ū riders were selected through a tryout process based on their skill level. During the event, eight princesses represent the major Hawaiian Islands and female attendant riders, and male escort riders are assigned to various units.

“Once a unit is assembled, there are practices on horseback that needs to be arranged,” he shares. “Riders will need to have their individual horses trailered to practices in many cases.

Members of each unit bring their experiences, resources, and manpower together to make lei for themselves and horses. It takes about a week to prepare these massive horse lei. In addition, places to make them and adequate refrigeration is needed.

Beginning at the first hint of daylight on parade day, the

King Kamehameha Celebration Commission has a cadre of people who are trained in wrapping a pāʻū. Together, they get dozens of women properly wrapped. They use pāʻū sewn with 12 yards of fabric and include six dried and cleaned kukui nuts in the wrapping process.

This year, though, Keaulana shares that the pā‘ū units, while as beautiful as always, will be downsized due to a severe horse shortage. There will be four riders in each unit rather than the customary seven, though attendees will still “see the color, ingenuity in floral creations and pride in the pāʻū presentations,” to hear him tell it.

“To see the pāʻū riders rise in their resilience will be amazing! I hope that the people of Hawaiʻi will turn out

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and enjoy the parade in person,” Keaulana says.

“Without pāʻū riders, a parade is just a parade. With pāʻū riders, you have a Hawaiian parade,” he says. “The Kamehameha Day Parade is a parade that is produced by the people of Hawaiʻi and not by commercial interest. The Kamehameha Day Parade is the only parade in the United States that honors a monarch. This parade is an important reminder that Hawaiʻi was once an independent kingdom, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, and it was Kamehameha I that united our islands under a single ruler. Everyone in Hawaiʻi needs to be reminded and to be mindful of this.”

When it comes to his favorite part of the journey, he says, “From the standpoint of chairing the pāʻū wrapping, I love to

see riders again that I have not seen since the last parade. It’s equally delightful to see new riders and their anxious faces!

I love finishing the wrapping and looking at the completely dressed pāʻū rider and telling her how beautiful she looks! I always wish them well and to enjoy a safe ride.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE VARIOUS STATEWIDE CELEBRATIONS, VISIT KAMEHAMEHADAY.HAWAII.GOV OR CALL 808-586-0333.

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1 . K A U A‘ I

2 . O ‘A H U

3 . M O L O K A‘ I

4. MAUI

The public is invited to attend a free King Kamehameha ‘Ohana Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11 at the Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i at 3610 Rice St. There will be an appearance and protocol procession of the 2022 King’s Court, and entertainment by masters of ceremonies Da Braddahs and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Ei Nei and Mike Ka‘awa & Friends.

The annual celebration of King Kamehameha Day commences with the Lei Draping Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. June 10 in front of Ali‘iōlani Hale. Next, the 105th King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade will be held at 9 a.m. on June 11. The parade will take a route beginning at King Street fronting ‘Iolani Palace.

Participants will then head down Punchbowl Street, before making a left on to Ala Moana Boulevard and eventually Kalākaua Avenue. The parade comes to a finish at Monsarrat Avenue and Queen Kapi‘olani Park. The parade is expected to reach Kapi‘olani Park around 11:30 a.m. Following the parade, the public can experience live music, food and more at the King Kamehameha Celebration Ho‘olaule‘a from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Park.

During the first weekend in June there will be the Kamehameha Moloka‘i Celebration. On June 3, the first King’s Gala at Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill opens its doors at 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner and poke bar. Enjoy entertainment by Ei Nei, Liam Moleta, Makana and the Nahenahe Mele Contest. To enter visit hoomohala.org/mkdc. html. The celebration continues June 4. The parade begins at 4 p.m. through Kaunakakai Town along Ala Mālama Avenue.

There will be a Ho‘olaule‘a to follow from 5 to 10 p.m. at Kaunakakai Baseball Field with entertainment, ‘ono eats, Hawai‘i artists and the Ms. Wahine Ha‘aheo Pageant. For tickets and more information, visit hoomohala.org/mkdc. html.

Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a is a Maui celebration that will be held June 18. The Front Street parade starts 9:45 a.m. and will feature floats, decorated vehicles and pāʻū riders. The ho‘olaule‘a under the shade of the Lāhainā Banyan Tree will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with Hawaiian music, exhibits, free keiki activities, Hawai‘i artists, food and hula. The parade features eight island princess pāʻū units, pāʻū marshal Glenn Berce and pāʻū queen Linda Berce. The Berces have given of themselves tirelessly and unconditionally to the rodeo community, the equestrian community, and the pāʻū community. Their daughter Gabrielle Berce is the reigning Miss Rodeo Hawai‘i.

5 . KO H A L A Visitors are welcomed to the North Kohala towns of Hāwī and Kapa‘au on June 11, 2022 to take part in a full day of celebration and tribute to King Kamehameha I. All events are free. See the original statue of King Kamehameha I draped in lei starting at 8 a.m. in all its royal glory. The statue in Kapa‘au is decorated with many 20-foot-long floral lei created in tribute to the king. Lei draping ceremonies start with an opening blessing, followed by hula, history and music. A Traditional Pā‘ū Unit Parade will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. At 9 a.m. the road closes while honorees and pā‘ū riders make their way from Kohala High and Elementary School to the statue and Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au. Visit kamehamehadaycelebration.org.

6 . KO N A

7. H I L O

The 150th anniversary of King Kamehameha Day will be held on June 11. The floral parade, which began in 1953, starts on Kuakini Highway near Maka‘eo (also known as Old Kona Airport). It travels through Kailua Village and ends near Royal Kona Resort, where Ali‘i Drive meets Wālua Road. The parade is for the community and put on by the community. It will include floats, walking units and others. In addition to pā‘ū riders, the celebration will feature a ho‘olaule‘a with artisans, hālau hula and musicians. For more information, visit konaparade.org.

This year’s Kamehameha Day lei draping celebration begins at 5 p.m. on June 10.

“Ka ‘Ahulei O Kamehameha” is hosted by Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, East Hawai‘i Region, and will take place at the town’s King Kamehameha statue on Bishop Street. Prior to the lei draping ceremony, the Hawai‘i County Band will perform.

For more information visit ksaaeasthawaii.org/events.

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King Kamehameha’s legacy

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ing Kamehameha the Great was one of the most striking figures in Hawaiian history, a decisive leader who united and ruled the islands during a time of great change. Kamehameha (named Pai‘ea at birth) was born in North Kohala sometime between 1753 and 1761. His mother was chiefess Keku‘iapoiwa, and his father was Keōua, chief of Kohala.

Legends link his birth to natural phenomena or hō‘ailona — storms and strange lights,

activities believed by Hawaiians to herald the birth of a great chief. Due to prophesies at his birth and threats from warring clans, the infant was secreted away and hidden immediately after his birth. He spent his early years secluded in Waipi‘o, raised and protected by extended ‘ohana. In his teens, he claimed his spot at court and received special training from his uncle, ruling chief Kalani‘ōpu‘u, which included skills in physical and psychological games, war-

fare, oral history, navigation, religious ceremonies, sexual prowess and other information necessary to become an Ali‘i ‘Aimoku (a district chief).

By the time of Cook’s arrival in 1778, Kamehameha had become a superb warrior who already carried the scars of a number of political and physical encounters. The young Kamehameha was described as tall, strong, intelligent and physically fearless. History records that Kamehameha accompanied Kalani‘ōpu‘u aboard the Discovery, and conducted himself with val-

or during the battle at Kealakekua in which Cook was killed. For his part he achieved a certain level of notoriety and imperiousness that matched and even exceeded his rank as a high chief.

Within a year after Cook’s death, the elderly Kalani‘ōpu‘u, convened his retainers and divided his domain.

His eldest son Kīwala‘ō became his political heir while his lower ranked nephew Kamehameha, was entrusted the war god Kūka‘ilimoku.

Although this pattern of dividing the succession of the chiefdom and the protectorate

of the god Kū was legendary, some authors suggest it was also uncommon.

This action effectively split the political decision-making power between individuals of unequal rank and set the stage for civil war amongst the chiefs of Hawai‘i island.

Kamehameha soon began to challenge the authority of Kīwala‘ō. During the funeral for one of Kalani‘ōpu‘u’s chiefs, Kamehameha stepped in and performed one of the rituals specifically reserved for Kīwala‘ō, an act that constituted a great insult.

After Kalani‘ōpu‘u died, in

1782, Kīwala‘ō took his bones to the royal burial house, Hale o Keawe, at Hōnaunau on the west coast of Hawai‘i Island. Kamehameha and other western coast chiefs gathered nearby to drink and mourn his death. Some say that the old king had already divided the lands of the island of Hawai‘i, giving his son Kīwala‘ō the districts of Ka‘ū, Puna, and Hilo. Kamehameha was to inherit the districts of Kona, Kohala, and Hāmākua. When it appeared that Kamehameha and his allies were not to receive what they considered their fair share, the battle for power and property began.

Over the next four years, numerous battles took place with a great deal of jockeying for position and privilege. Alliances were made and broken, until rulers of Hawai‘i had reached a stalemate. Kamehameha’s superior forces had triumphed several times and he claimed the daughter of Kīwala‘ō, sacred chiefess Keōpūolani, and made her one of his wives.

Chiefess Ka‘ahumanu (once mentioned as a wife for Kīwala‘ō) would become his favorite wife. Eventually Kīwala‘ō was killed in battle, yet complete dominion over Hawai‘i remained elusive.

In 1790 Kamehameha and his army, aided by Isaac Davis and John Young, invaded Maui. Focusing his attention on Kahekili, powerful ruling chief of Maui, he successfully utilized cannon salvaged from the ship, the Fair American. Kamehameha’s warriors quickly forced the Maui army into retreat, killing such a large number that their bod-

ies dammed up ʻĪao stream and the rivers flowed red with blood. Whilst on Maui, his cousin (and enemy) Keōua Kūʻahuʻula, chief of Puna and Ka‘ū, took advantage of Kamehameha’s absence to pillage and destroy villages on Hawai‘i Island’s west coast.

Returning to Hawai‘i, Kamehameha fought Keōua Kūʻahuʻula in two fierce battles.

Kamehameha then retired to the west coast of the island, while Keōua Kūʻahuʻula and his army moved southward, losing some of their group in a volcanic steam blast. In future battles Kamehameha adopted Western technologies of muskets and cannons, a factor that probably accounted for much of his success.

By the 1790s, Kamehameha amassed large quantities of firearms. Still after almost a decade of fighting, he had

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not conquered all his enemies.

Heeding the advice of a seer on Kaua‘i, the imposing Pu‘ukoholā heiau was constructed at Kawaihae for dedicated worship to Kamehameha’s war god Kūka‘ilimoku. Kamehameha hoped to gain the spiritual power that would enable him to conquer the island. A series of events led to rival Keōua Kūʻahuʻula being killed and offered for sacrifice on the heiau’s altar.

His death made Kamehameha ruler of Hawai‘i island.

Kamehameha spent the next three years rebuilding the island’s economy and gleaning western warfare from visiting foreigners. With this knowledge he was able to conquer Maui at the infamous battle of Kepaniwai. There, Kamehameha and his Hawai‘i Island forces took up arms against the ruler of Maui, Kalan-

ikūpule. Kamehameha’s warriors advanced up ‘Īao Valley, claiming Maui for his own in 1790. Kalanikūpule was able to sneak away to the island of O‘ahu where the two warriors would soon meet again.

A series of battles were waged with various chiefs and foreign interventionist lining up on opposing sides.

Kamehameha’s next target was O‘ahu. As he prepared for war, one of his former allies, a chief named Ka‘iana, turned on him. Nevertheless, Kamehameha’s warriors overran O‘ahu, killing rival chiefs and importantly, Kalanikūpule in the final battle, the battle of Nu‘uanu, and could now lay claim to the rich farmland and fishponds of O‘ahu, which

would help support his final assault on Kaua‘i.

By mid-1796, Kamehameha’s English carpenters built a forty-ton ship for him at Honolulu, and he equipped his warriors for battle and advanced on Kaua‘i. However bad weather and stormy seas forced him to retreat. Kamehameha returned to Hawai‘i to crush an uprising and used the next few years of peace to build a great armada of new war canoes and schooners armed with cannons. His well-trained and rested soldiers were well-equipped with muskets. He sailed this armada to Maui where he spent the next year in psychological warfare, sending threats to Kaumuali‘i, Kaua‘i’s ruler

and in 1804 Kamehameha moved his fleet to O‘ahu and prepared for combat. However, the anticipated battle never came as Kamehameha reached a compromise with Kaumuali‘i. In 1810 Kamehameha was acknowledged as sovereign while Kaumuali‘i continued to rule Kaua‘i. This was the first time in recorded history that the Hawaiian Islands were under one rule.

Spending several years on O‘ahu, Kamehameha made a lengthy tour of his kingdom and finally settled at Kamakahonu, his compound at Kailua-Kona, where he lived for the next seven years until his death in 1819. His rise to power had been based on invasion, on the use of supe-

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rior force, and with political machinations. His successful conquests were fueled by compelling forces operating within Hawai‘i and heavily influenced by competing foreign interests. He had accomplished what no man in the history of the Hawaiian people had ever done. By uniting the Hawaiian Islands into a viable and recognized political entity, Kamehameha prepared his people for a quickly changing world.

This is the man we celebrate every June 11th, this year specifically marking the 150th anniversary of the King Kamehameha Day holiday.

E ola ka inoa ‘o Kamehameha — May the name Kamehameha live on!

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Hawaii Cancer Care’s mission is to provide the most comprehensive and innovative cancer care right here in the community.

We are proud to be part of the healing tradition in Hawaii and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of King Kamehameha Day.

Arnold Yee MD

Jon Fukumoto MD

Ashley Springer APRN

Melvin Palalay MD

Bryce Montalbo APRN

David Tamura MD

Judy Ko APRN

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