Kamehameha I

Hawaiian history · leadership · Pacific islands

United the islands. Kamehameha I conquered and brought together all of the Hawaiian islands, creating the first Kingdom of Hawaii. He became the first ruler to reign over the entire island chain instead of just separate kingdoms.

Honored with a statue. Hawaii chose to place a statue of Kamehameha I in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C. This is one of only two statues each state can contribute to this famous collection.

Called the Great. He earned the title Kamehameha the Great because of his powerful leadership and ability to bring peace and unity to the Hawaiian people. His name means 'the lonely one' in Hawaiian.