TODAY: KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY is a state holiday in Hawaii celebrating the birth of King Kamehameha I, who was born in 1737 or 1758 at Kokoiki in the Kohala district of the Big Island of Hawai’i.  In 1790, after attaining control of the of the Big Island, he successfully invaded the Islands of Maui, Lana’i, and Moloka’i. By 1810, he had unified all the inhabited islands of Hawai’i under his rule with the help of European arms.

As king, he encouraged trade and peaceful activities, and  presided over the opening of Hawai’i to the rest of the world. On May 8, 1819, Kamehameha the Great died at Kailua in the district of Kona on his home Island. His remains were hidden with such secrecy, according to ancient custom, that “only the stars know his final resting place.” Wikipedia listing | Big Island Celebration …

Today thousands of people will gather on the northern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii to honor King Kamehameha I at his birthplace in North Kohala.  In 1795 Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands with the help of European arms.