Unification of Hawai‘i | ||||||||
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Map of the Hawaiian Islands made by one of James Cook's officers, probably William Bligh. c. 1785 | ||||||||
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Belligerents | ||||||||
Hawaiʻi |
Maui Kaʻū Kohala Hilo Kauaʻi | Oʻahu | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
Kamehameha I Keliʻimaikaʻi Keʻeaumoku Pāpaʻiahiahi Keaweaheulu Kameʻeiamoku Kekūhaupiʻo Nahili Kamanawa Keʻeaumoku II Isaac Davis John Young |
Kīwalaʻō Keōua Kūʻahuʻula Keawemaʻuhili Kahekili II Kalanikūpule Kamakahelei Kaumualiʻi | Kahahana |
The Unification of Hawaiʻi (1782–1810) was a series of wars in the Hawaiian Islands fought over control of the entire archipelago. At the time of European contact, the islands were divided amongst competing Aliʻi, or high chiefs. The Island of Hawaiʻi was divided into several districts; Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe were united under Maui, Oʻahu was independent, and Kauaʻi ruled Niʻihau. The feudal Aliʻi often fought wars to gain land and mana. The introduction of European weapons gave some an advantage over others, and they began taking over their neighbors.
First the big island was consolidated by Kamehameha I after overthrowing his uncle for control of the Kona District on the island of Hawaiʻi. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Maui invaded and conquered Oʻahu. With Hawaiʻi united under his rule, Kamehameha eventually invaded Maui and Oʻahu, culminating in the climactic battle that was the Battle of Nuʻuanu. Before he could invade the two remaining islands, the paramount Chief of Kauaʻi, Kaumualiʻi, negotiated a peace that submitted the islands to Hawaiian rule.[1]
Origins
editBattle of Keawawa (1738)
editBattle of Waikapu Commons (1776)
editVoyage of James Cook (1778–1779)
editDeath of James Cook
editBattle of Moku'ohai (1782)
editOlowalu Massacre (1790)
editBattle of Kepaniwai (1790)
editEast Hawaiʻi Battles of 1790 (1790)
editBattle of Kawaihae (1791)
editBattle of Kawela (1795)
editBattle of Nu'uanu (1795)
editConsolidation of power of Kamehameha I (1795–1810)
editPeaceful unification with Kaua'i and Ni'ihau
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Rapp, Claudia (23 July 2004). A PARADISE LOST: MAPPING CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE FROM HAWAI’I. p. 259. Retrieved 16 September 2014.