King Kamehameha - In celebration of his Aloha

Aloha everyone!

Today is June 11, 2008 and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy King Kamehameha day! This day is a day where we honor all things Hawaiian, in particular celebrating the life and legacy of King Kamehameha I, perhaps the greatest leader of the Hawaiian people ever. Perhaps you all will indulge me as I would love to share the legacy of Kamehameha with all of you.

The Hawaiian people had a prophecy that told of a male who would be born and would become the greatest of all the chiefs of the Hawaii islands. The prophecy spoke of a sign appearing in the form of a comet to announce his birth. In 1758 Kamehameha was born and at that time, Haley's Comet was visible to the naked eye.

When Kamehameha was born, the rulers of the other islands put out the word to kill the baby. The little community where he was born conspired to keep the future king alive and transported him to a secluded mountain area on the island of Hawai'i where he lived until the age of 13.

Kamehameha eventually did conquer the other chiefs and united Hawaii under one rule. Although King Kamehameha is known for being a great warrior, what he did after he became king was equally important.

Kamehameha instituted the Mamalahoe Kanawai or Law of the Splintered Paddle. When he was raiding a village prior to the unification of Hawaii, he caught his foot on a rock. Two fisherman who he had been attacking, hit him over the head with a paddle that caused it to break. They ran, leaving the warrior unconscious. Many years later, these two fisherman were brought before the king for punishment. Instead, the Kamehameha took the blame for attacking innocent people and released the two with gifts and land. The new law read "Let every elderly person, woman and child lie by the roadside in safety," and essentially protected non-combatants in wartime.

King Kamehameha's rule was one of peace. Not just peace among the people of the islands, but also peace with the rulers of other nations, including many European nations. He created laws that were created to protect the peace. While in battle, Kamehameha had created many heiau (places of worship) that he rededicated from war to peace. King Kamehameha was loved by his people and that love continues to this day.

Aloha and Happy King Kamehameha Day!

Alika