The origins of the House of Kamehameha can be traced back to half brothers, Kalani?

opu?u and Keoua.[4] Kalani?opu?u's father was Kalaninui?iamamao and Keoua's father
was Kalanike?eaumoku, both sons of Keawe?ikekahiali?iokamoku.[4] They shared a
common mother, Kamaka?imoku. Both brothers served Alapa?inui, the ruling King of
Hawai?i island.[4] Hawaiian genealogy notes that Keoua may not have been
Kamehameha's biological father, and that Kahekili II might have been the figure's
real father.[4][5] Regardless, Kamehameha I's descent from Keawe remains intact
through his mother, Keku?iapoiwa II, a granddaughter of Keawe. Keoua acknowledged
him as his son and is recognized by official genealogies.[4]

The traditional mele chant of Keaka, wife of Alapainui, indicates that Kamehameha I
was born in the month of ikuwa (winter) or around November.[6] Alapai had given the
child, Kamehameha to his wife Keaka and her sister Hakau to care for after the
ruler discovered the boy had lived.[7][8] Samuel Kamakau, in his newspaper article
writes "It was during the time of the warfare among the chiefs of [the island of]
Hawaii which followed the death of Keawe, chief over the whole island (Ke-awe-i-
kekahi-ali?i-o-ka-moku) that Kamehameha I was born". However, his general dating
has been challenged.[9] Abraham Fornander writes in his publication, "An Account of
the Polynesian Race: Its Origins and Migrations": "when Kamehameha died in 1819 he
was past eighty years old. His birth would thus fall between 1736 and 1740,
probably nearer the former than the latter".[10] "A brief history of the Hawaiian
people" By William De Witt Alexander lists the birth date in the Chronological
Table of Events of Hawaiian History" as 1736.[11] He would be named Paiea but would
take the name Kamehameha, meaning "The lonely one" or "The one who has been set
apart".[12][13]

Kalani?opu?u, the young Kamehameha's uncle, would raise him after his father's
death. Kalani?opu?u ruled Hawai?i as did his grandfather Keawe. He had a number of
advisors and priests. When word reached the ruler that chiefs were planning to
murder the boy, he told Kamehameha:

"My child, I have heard the secret complaints of the chiefs and their mutterings
that they will take you and kill you, perhaps soon. While I am alive they are
afraid, but when I die they will take you and kill you. I advise you to go back to
Kohala." "I have left you the god; there is your wealth."[4]

Cook's arrival and death[edit]

Main article: Kidnapping of Kalani?opu?u by Captain James Cook

The feathered cloak of King Kalani?opu?u

In 1778 Captain James Cook visited the Hawaiian Islands and returned in 1779.[14]
When his ship, Resolution broke a foremast as they were leaving, he was forced to
turn back and return to Kealakekua Bay.[15] A fight and theft of blacksmith tools
led to a situation on shore where a Hawaiian canoe was confiscated, even after the
tools were recovered.[16] Tensions were high with the Hawaiian population and one
of Cook's small boats was taken.[17] In retaliation, Cook decided to kidnap King
Kalani?opu?u. As he was being led away from his royal enclosure, his favorite wife,
Kanekapolei began to shout to the townspeople to get their attention.[18][19] Two
chiefs, Kalaimanokahoowaha[nb 2] (also known as Kanaina nui) and a royal attendant
named Nuaa, saw her pleading as the King was being led away with his two sons
following.[21][22] As they reached the beach Kanaina, Kanekapolei and Nuaa were
able to convince Kalani?opu?u to stop and he sat where he stood.[18][23] The crowd
began to become aggressive and a rock was thrown and hit Cook. He took out his
sword and struck Kanaina broadside without injury, but the chief reacted and
immediately seized Cook and held him in his grip[24] when the king's attendant,
Nuaa[nb 3] stabbed him from behind.[19][26][27] Before the remains of Cook were
returned, the bones of the man were boiled down to strip off the flesh then given
to chiefs. Kamehameha received Captain Cook's hair.[28]
Kamehameha I, founder of the Kingdom of Hawaii[edit]

Kamehameha I
After Kalani?opu?u's death, Kiwala?o would take his father's place as first born
and rule the island while Kamehameha would have religious authority. A number of
chiefs supported Kamehameha and war soon broke out to overthrow Kiwala?o. After a
number of battles the king was killed and envoys sent for the last two brothers to
meet with Kamehameha. Keoua and Kaoleioku arrived in separate canoes. Keoua came to
shore first where a fight broke out and he and all aboard were killed. Before the
same could happen to the second canoe, Kamehameha intervened. By 1795, Kamehameha
would conquer all but one of the islands.

For his first royal residence, the new King built the first western-style structure
built in the Hawaiian Islands, known as the "Brick Palace".[29] The king
commissioned the structure to be built at Keawa'iki point in Lahaina, Maui.[30] Two
foreign, ex-convicts from Australia's Botany Bay penal colony built the home.[31]
It was begun in 1798 and was completed after 4 years in 1802.[32][33] The house was
intended for Ka?ahumanu,[34] but she refused to live in the structure and resided
instead in a traditional Hawaiian-styled home only feet away.[30]

Kamehameha I had many wives but held two the most high regard. Keopuolani was the
highest ranking ali?i of her time[14] and mother to his sons, Liholiho and
Kauikeaouli. Ka?ahumanu was his favorite. Kamehameha I died in 1819 and his son,
Liholiho would become the next king.[35]

A new king/form of government[edit]

Kamehameha II, and the new office of Kuhina Nui[edit]

Kamehameha II in England with Queen and entourage

After Kamehameha I's death, his first born son Liholiho left Kailua for a week and
returned to be crowned king. At the lavish ceremony attended by commoners and
nobles of the kingdom he approached the circle of chiefs, as Ka?ahumanu, the
central figure in the group and Dowager Queen, spoke: "Hear me O Divine one, for I
make known to you the will of your father. Behold these chiefs and the men of your
father, and these your guns, and this your land, but you and I shall share the
realm together" Liholiho agreed officially, which began a unique system of dual-
government consisting of a King and co-ruler similar to a co-regent.[18] The new
Kamehameha II would share his rule with his stepmother, Ka?ahumanu. She would defy
Hawaiian kapu by dining with the young king, violating the law separating genders
during meals and leading to the destruction of the old Hawaiian religion.
Kamehameha II died, along with his wife, Queen Kamamalu in 1824 on a state visit to
England where they succumbed to measles. He was King for only 5 years.[35]

When Kamehameha II and his queen died in England, the remains of the couple were
returned to Hawaii by Boki. On board the ship, "The Blond" his wife Liliha and
Kekuanao?a would be baptized as Christians. Ka?ahumanu would also convert and
become a heavy Christian influence on Hawaiian society until her death in 1832.[36]
Since the new king was only 12 years old, Ka?ahumanu was now senior ruler and named
Boki as her Kuhina Nui.

Boki would leave Hawaii on a fatal trip to find sandlewood to cover a debt and
would be lost at sea. His wife, Liliha would be left the governorship of Maui and
would unsuccessfully attempt to whip up revolt against Ka?ahumanu, who, upon Boki's
departure, had installed Kina?u as a co-governor.[36]