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King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after long years of conflict between the different tribes. His bronze statue stands in front of Aliʻiolani Hale, across the street from Iolani Palace. We stopped by to see it after touring Iolani.
Originally commissioned to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival in Hawaii, the statue was completed in Italy and France a little to late to make it. Then the ship it was on sank. King Kalākaua, who was building Iolani Palace at the time, had the statue recast and dedicated it in honor of Kamehameha I in 1883.
There are four panels at the base of the statue depicting scenes from Kamehameha’s life. The first is Kamehameha as a boy, training to be a warrior and demonstrating remarkable skill.
In the second he is surveying his armada of Koa wood canoes, capable of transporting 8000 warriors between the islands.
The third represents the ‘law of the splintered paddle’ which decreed that all Hawaiians should be able to travel freely and without fear of harm.
The fourth depicts Kamehameha meeting with Captain Cook aboard his vessel off the island of Maui.
Oahu Posts:
- Kahanamoku Beach
- Fort DeRussy Beach Park
- Green World Coffee Farm
- The Dole Plantation
- Anahulu River
- Waimea Falls
- Hau’ula Beach Park
- Tropical Macadamia Farm
- Byodo-In Temple
- Polynesian Cultural Center
- Aloha Tower
- Diamond Head
- Iolani Palace
- King Kamehameha Statue
- Aliʻiōlani Hale (coming soon)
- Pearl Harbor (coming soon)
Location: 447 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Designation: Statue
Date established/designated: 1883
Date of my visit: April 13, 2019
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