Uniting the Islands

“…here, where there is a breathtaking view of the jagged green volcanic peaks of Kaneohe and Kailua to the north, there is also a long and very steep precipice tumbling to the lowlands” (253).

The Book

The Warrior King: Hawaii’s Kamehameha the Great takes the reader through the life of Kamehameha, the man who unified the Hawaiian Islands. Prior to this, the islands were ruled by various chiefs and there was always a struggle for power. Author Richard Tregaskis does caution the reader that prior to 1778 (when Captain James Cook arrived), there are no dates in Hawaiian history. There also was no written language in Hawaii, all history was handed down orally.

Kamehameha was from the island of Hawaii and was a great athlete, trained at the warrior school. At the age of 14, Kamehameha moved the Naha Stone (similar to the sword in the stone of the King Arthur legend); legend said that whoever moved this stone would be Hawaii’s greatest king and one day unite the islands. The first half of the book focuses on Kamehameha’s participation in various power struggles among the various island chiefs. The arrival of British explorers begins to have an effect on Kamehameha, for he sees the benefit of their goods (particularly military) in his quest to control the islands.

In the 1790s, Kamehameha successfully conquers the islands of Maui and Molokai. After subduing a revolt on Hawaii, Kamehameha sets his sights on Oahu. His forces face little resistance in Waikiki because the island defenders moved inland toward the Nu’uanu Pali Pass. The defenders thought the steep height and rugged terrain would slow down Kamehameha’s forces and cannons. However, Kamehameha drove the defenders into the lowlands, attacked, and the enemy was driven into the jagged mountain pass. Now, Kauai was the last island left not under his control. It wasn’t until 1810 that the leader of Kauai met with Kamehameha and agreed to submit to his rule. Kamehameha’s last words, in 1819, were “I have given you-the greatest good: peace. And a kingdom which-is all one-a kingdom of all the islands” (303).

The Warrior King is a fascinating look into the early history of Hawaii, the culture and way of life, religion, politics, and family relations. The book includes drawings of the Hawaiian people and the islands to provide a glimpse into a different time period. The first half of the book felt less like the biography of Kamehameha and more a biography of the islands. Much time is spent on the struggle for control of the islands, prior to Kamehameha’s major role. However, the book helps provide an introduction to a unique culture and history.

The Place

The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout  provides gorgeous views of Oahu, whether it is sunny or overcast. In order to get to the lookout, you must drive down a long road that feels like you are in the jungle. After a bit, there is an opening for a small parking lot. As you walk from the parking lot to the lookout, you are suddenly greeted with a view of a green valley, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It is easy to simply want to take in the views for as long as possible. The park provides information about Kamehameha the Great’s battle to unify the islands at this spot and visitors can visualize the fighting that ensued.

There is a fee for parking, put the lookout is free. Be prepared for a sudden change in temperature when you exit your car. The wind is very strong and adds a chill to even a hot and sunny day. When my family visited, we had just come from a day at the beach and swimsuits and cover-ups did not keep us warm.