Kamehameha from modern perspectives

Under the title "Monster or Hero" the Maui Weekly asks, "Kamehameha, the first king of the unified Hawaiian Islands and the last Hawaiian king raised in pre-contact time, would be considered a monster by modern standards. But was his rule better than the alternatives?"

And the Maui News has an editorial on King Kamehameha under the title "Kamehameha brought peace."

Kamehameha brought peace

The Maui News
Editorial
June 11, 2004

King Kamehameha Day, a holiday in the islands since the late 19th century, celebrates the man who brought a unified, stable government to the islands, ending hundreds of years of warfare between chiefs competing for land and power.

A fierce warrior in his youth and an uncompromising ruler early in his reign, Kamehameha became known as a wise ruler, one who was believed to have been supported by the gods, a belief based on what happened in 1790 to a Big Island rival.

After a battle with Kamehameha that ended with both sides withdrawing, Big Island rival Keoua was marching with his army back to Kau across the high slopes of Kilauea. The volcano exploded, showering the army with cinders and clouds of poisonous gas. As many as 400 of Keoua's warriors were killed, leading many Hawaiians to believe Kamehameha had the support of Pele. The warrior chief had earlier been given custody of the war god Kukailimoku.

After conquering the other islands, using Western sailing ships and cannon, Kamehameha completed the unification begun by force of arms in 1790 with diplomacy in 1805 by convincing Kauai's ruler Kaumualii to recognize his overall authority.

Throughout his reign, Kamehameha modified the old ways of governing to fit new conditions brought about by increased foreign influence. He gave individual chiefs latitude in governing their lands but named his own governors to each of the major islands except Kauai and had the final word on any dispute. The main thrust of his foreign policy was to strengthen ties with Great Britain and keep other powers from establishing a foothold in the islands.

Kamehameha had a vision for the islands and that vision was partly shaped by the arrival of Europeans beginning in 1778 when Kamehameha was about 30 years old and high in the ranks of the alii on the Big Island. The development of fur trade between North America and China made the islands an attractive midway supply and rest area. As early as 1789, certain Spanish and British officials were making official reports back home suggesting their countries annex the islands.

Kamehameha's reign ended peacefully with his death at the age of about 63 on May 8, 1819, at Kailua on the Big Island.

Posted: Fri - June 11, 2004 at 02:35 PM

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Kamehameha from modern perspectives

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