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2.Background
<br /> lands, Kalani`opu`u led several inter-island war campaigns, including one against the East Maui all'1, where he
<br /> successfully captured the lands of Haim and Kipahulu. In a turn of events, Ke`eaumoku, who previously joined
<br /> Kalani`opu`u's forces against Keawe`opala,began to rebel against Kalani`opu`u. This,however,did not end well for
<br /> Ke`eaumoku, and eventually, he moved to Maui. Ke`eaumoku is also the father of Ka`ahumanu, Kamehameha I's
<br /> favorite wife(Kamakau 1992)
<br /> The inter-island wars against Maui and Hawai`i continued throughout Kalani`opu'u's reign between 1775-1779,
<br /> however,one battle proved a great significance for the future leadership of Hawai`i Island and the greater archipelago.
<br /> During the battle of Kalaeoka`ilio, Kalani`opu`u's nephew and favorite warrior, Kamehameha,was recognized as a
<br /> great warrior and was given the name Pai`ea(hard-shelled crab)by the Maui ali'1 and warriors(Kamakau 1992:84).
<br /> It was said that throughout this war campaign on Maui,Kalani`opu`u and Kamehameha visited Kahalu`u Ahupua'a
<br /> periodically for ceremonial purposes. During these ongoing battles,one event in particular catalyzed a major shift in
<br /> Hawaiian history. Once isolated from the Western world, Hawaii experienced its first European contact with the
<br /> arrival of Captain James Cook in Kealakekua on January 17th, 1779.Less than a month later,the explorer was killed
<br /> after kidnapping Kalani`opu`u over a stolen cutter. Following the death of Captain Cook,Kalani`opu`u's next major
<br /> proclamation took place in Kohala. Here, Kalani`opu`u declared his son, Kiwala`o as his heir and his nephew,
<br /> Kamehameha, as the caretaker of the war god, Kuka`ilimoku (Desha 2000). With an aging chief, Kalani`opu`u,
<br /> Kamehameha I had already devised a plan to consolidate his rule over Hawai`i Island and expand his kingdom through
<br /> intense inter-island warfare. Kamehameha I leveraged his relationship with certain foreigners,which allowed him to
<br /> acquire Western items like ships and cannons—imports that would significantly alter traditional Hawaiian warfare.
<br /> The Fall of Kiwala`O and the Rise of Kamehameha
<br /> Prior to Kalani`opu`u's death,doubts arose among the ali`i and kahuna regarding Kiwala`o's ability to lead and uphold
<br /> land claims during the kalai`aina(land redistribution process)process. These doubts persisted even after the capture
<br /> of Ka`n chief Imakakoloa. During the ceremony at Pakini heiau,Kamehameha's advisors devised a plan. Although
<br /> Kiwala`o was to present Imakakoloa's body, the plan was for Kamehameha to step in and offer the body himself.
<br /> This action would release the kapu on the heiau and prevent Kiwala`o from gaining power from`Imakakoloa's mana.
<br /> Consequently, the other ali'1 expressed their discontent with Kamehameha's actions, and Kalani`opu`u advised him
<br /> to return to Kohala (Kamakau 1992:107-109). After the passing of Kalani`opu`u, Kiwala`o assumed control,
<br /> prompting Kamehameha to leave Kohala and return to Kona to pay his respects to his late uncle. While at Hale o
<br /> Keawe in Honaunau, Kamehameha and Kekahaupi`o participate in an 'awl ceremony alongside Kiwala`o. During
<br /> the ceremony,Kamehameha was instructed to chew the `awa root and to prepare an `apu(bowl)of 'awl for Kiwala`o,
<br /> however, the ceremony was not complete when Kiwala`o gave his `apu prepared by Kamehameha to his `aikane.
<br /> When Kekahaupi`o saw this,he immediately slapped the `apu from Kiwala`o's hands,as this was an act of humiliation
<br /> towards Kamehameha(Desna.2000).
<br /> It wasn't long until Kiwala`o's next act of defiance, which occurred during the kalai`aina process. Kiwala`o,
<br /> partly influenced by Keawemauhili, a Hilo chief, distributed lands to the high chiefs of the east, many of whom
<br /> supported Kiwala`o. Upon learning of Kiwala`o's unjust land distribution, his brother and the chief of Ka`n,
<br /> Keouakd`ahu`ula,went to see Kiwala`o in person to determine if his brother would fulfill his request for specific lands
<br /> among which included Kahalu`u and Keauhou. Kiwala`o denied having any land left to distribute to his brother and
<br /> in retaliation, Keouakd`ahu`ula cut down a grove of coconut trees in Keomo, Ke`ei, Kona signaling the start of the
<br /> battle known as Moku`ohai (Kamakau 1992). Kiwala`o's was killed in this battle and Kamehameha was put in a
<br /> promising position to rise at the sole ruler of Hawaii(Desha 2000). Thrum (1907) reported that sometime around
<br /> 1782 after the battle of Moku`ohai,Kamehameha retreated to Kahalu`u where he built Hapaian`i heiau and installed
<br /> Hewahewa as the priest of said heiau.
<br /> According to TI (1963), nearly ten years of almost continuous warfare followed the death of Kiwala`o, as
<br /> Kamehameha endeavored to unite the island of Hawai`i and conquer the islands of Maui and Oahu.Keouakd`ahu`ula,
<br /> became Kamehameha's main rival on the Hawaii Island,and he proved difficult to defeat(Kamakau 1992).Around
<br /> 1790,to secure his rule,Kamehameha began building the heiau of Pu`ukohola at Kawaihae,which was to be dedicated
<br /> to his war god Kuka`ilimoku (Fornander 1996). When Pu`ukohola Heiau was completed in the summer of 1791,
<br /> Kamehameha sent his two counselors, Keaweaheulu and Kamanawa, to Ka`n to offer peace to Keouakd`ahu`ula.
<br /> Keouakd`ahu`ula was enticed to the dedication of the Pu`ukohola Heiau by this ruse and when he arrived at Kawaihae
<br /> he and his party were sacrificed to complete the dedication(Kamakau 1992). The assassination of Keouakd`ahu`ula
<br /> gave Kamehameha undisputed control of Hawaii Island by 1792(Greene 1993).
<br /> In addition to Pu`ukohola, Kamakau (1992:180) reported that Kamehameha established several heiau "for the
<br /> sacrifice of human beings"which included`Ohi`amukumuku and Kamaikeeka in Kahalu`u.Between 1792 and 1796,
<br /> CIA for the Ld'Ipala Makai Planned Unit Development,Kapala`alaea 2,North Kona,Hawaii 19
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