Hawaiian Supermom

Today is June 11 and that means all of Hawai’i is celebrating Kamehameha Day, so I thought it would be fitting for me to write about our King and his heroic deeds.

Kamehameha (the lonely one) was born during ikuwā or winter in 1836 (Kamakau) and it is chanted that his birth brought a great star that streaked across the sky. This corresponds to a comet that was seen around the time of the, “Celestial Phenomena of the Great Year 1736” which was foretold by Sir Isaac Newton. (Clicking the link will lead you to Harvard’s Astrophysics Data System.)

His birth year has been disputed by scholars over the years however, Kamakau was an Ali’i (chief) a genealogist, and a keeper of stories long before modern American historians became interested in our events.  (Meaning that I trust Kamakau, a man who was alive during much of Hawaii’s history way more than I trust any newbie intent on changing the date for whatever reason and/or benefit.)

Prior to his birth, it was predicted that Kamehameha’s existence would bring the deaths of chiefs so Hawai’i King Alapa’inui insisted that he be killed. When his mother Kekuiapoiwa learned of this, she traveled in secret to Mo’okini Heiau in the district of Kohala on the “Big Island” and gave birth to him at these ancient birthing stones.

He was then given to famed runner and chief Nae’ole, who took him to be hidden and raised by family members in Waipi’o Valley.

As he grew older, his strength, fighting skills, intuition, and intelligence impressed many. He was said to be over eight feet tall and was taught how to win battles by the great and powerful warrior Kekuhaupi’o.

He later went in search of the famed Naha stone, to perform a feat which was said to be impossible. The belief of the people was that whoever lifted it would be the one to unite the islands. Kamehameha lifted the enormous slab alone, which solidified the fact that he was indeed born to unite the islands.

Here’s where history gets a little fuzzy.

Some say that he went into war with the intent to rule over all and everything, but he was an Ali’i and Hawaiian royals were raised to serve and take care of their people. According to my family’s oral history, he saw that the arrival of the foreign people (during his time it was James Cook in 1779) would bring diseases that were previously unheard of, death and greed.

Cook died the same year Kamehameha was said to have met him, because he tried to take high Chief Kalaniopu’u aboard his boat with him. Cook believed that kidnapping the chief (who was so sacred one could be killed if Kalaniopu’u’s shadow touched them) would force the Natives who were accused of stealing from him to give the trinkets back. This only angered the Hawaiians who killed Cook– a man who was not revered as a God as some continue to say, but a mortal who was treated respectfully as all visitors were treated– because he dared to touch the high ranking chief. Cook’s men then turned their guns and cannons on all the people living in the coastal villages and sailed up and down the long stretches of land killing thousands of innocents.

Kamehameha knew that he was responsible for uniting the islands and did so with the intent to bring all the people of Hawaii together so that they could solidify that they belonged to the islands. With the help of Isaac Davis, John Young, and thousands of fierce men, he did what he was born to do.

By bringing the people together, he was the recognized ruler of the entire archipelago (which consists of 137 islands.) After his death, his rule continued and nation after nation recognized, signed treaties with, and entered trade contracts with the Kingdom of Hawai’i.

Long story short, King Kamehameha was a hero who knew that ‘a’ohe hana nui ka alu ‘ia: no task is too big when done together. In other words, when everyone is united, things get done.

In his words:

“I mua e na poki’i a inu i ka wai ‘awa’awa ‘a’ohe hope e ho’i mai ai.”

which means:

Forward my brothers and drink of the bitter waters of battle for there is no turning back until we are victorious.

Aloha wau ‘ia ‘oe, e Tutu Kane.  I am happy that this day belongs to you.