The Prophecy

Kamehameha the Great fulfilled the prophecy of the birth of a male who would become the greatest of all chiefs in Hawai'i. Kamehameha was born in the North Kohala area of Kokoiki, around 1758. Because of the prophecy, he was seen as a threat to current rulers.

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Protecting the future King

Word went out to find and kill the baby, but the Kohala people conspired to save him. His mother, Keku‘iapoiwa, along with her cousins, Kahākawaiaea and his sister
Kahā ‘opulani and the help of the people of Kohala plotted to save her child. They instilled the help of their cousin,  a young chief named Nae ‘ole.  His kuleana, to get this child  to ‘Āwini,  where Kahā‘opulani, awaited to receive her hānai, adopted child. Here in ‘Āwini he was called Pai‘ea and was raised and protected by the Ali‘i’s who resided there until he returned to the court of his uncle, Alapa‘i Nui.

After he came into power, Kamehameha knew he could always count on Kohala to be loyal and help him, because they had been dedicated to him from the moment he was born.

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Kamehameha the Great

In 1775, the prophecy came true as Kamehameha Pai’ea conquered the islands and united them in peace, becoming King Kamehameha I. Many hawaiian residents in the area can trace their ancestry to the King. North Kohala is proud of it’s connection to the King and reveres him as both leader and ancestor. This reverence is visible in the loving care with which the Kamehameha statue in Kapa‘au is maintained and in the grassroots effort that creates a full day of ceremonies each Kamehameha Day.