Throughout the month of June, we celebrate King Kamehameha and the legacy of his lineage. King Kamehameha I (also known as Kamehameha the Great) was known as a great leader, strong warrior, and wise diplomat who united the Hawaiian islands under one Kingdom in 1810.

Kamehameha was born in Kohala and was named Kamehemeha as well as Paiʻea meaning “hard shelled crab.” Hawaiian moʻolelo tell that a bright star appeared the day before he was born signaling the birth of a great chief. The prophecy was a chief of great strength which was proven when Kamehameha overturned the Naha stone which is said to weigh between 2.5 to 3.5 tons.

At a time when warring between chiefs throughout the Hawaiian islands, Kamehameha won fierce battles, eventually uniting the islands. The unification of Hawaiʻi was incredibly significant not just for its feat but the unification occurred at a pivotal period when foreign interests and explorations to the Hawaiian islands began.

Each year on June 11 commemorations are held in honor of King Kamehameha across Hawaiʻi.