I wonder how few people know that Kamehameha, the legendary first king of Oʻahu, is a figure who completely changed the history of Hawaiʻi. This war leader, raised under a feudal political system, accomplished something truly extraordinary—in 1795, he unified all the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom. It’s hard to imagine how enormous such an achievement must have been.

One thing everyone should see is the monumental 18-foot bronze statue of Kamehameha. Made by Thomas Gould in Florence, this sculpture has become an iconic landmark of Oʻahu. Every year on the Friday closest to June 11th, during Kamehameha Day, people ceremoniously decorate it with leis—a beautiful way to honor the great ruler of Hawaiʻi.

But the story doesn’t end with Kamehameha I. His son Leholiho, who took the throne as Kamehameha II, faced a massive challenge. After his father’s death, he had to not only assume power, but also accept Kahumanu, his father’s favorite wife, as his companion. Together, they accomplished something revolutionary—they abolished the ancient kapu system, which for centuries had governed the daily lives of Hawaiians, and completely changed the islands’ religious landscape.

What moves me most is what tradition conveys as Kamehameha’s last words: "E ʻoni wale nō ʻoukou i kuʻu pono ʻole e pau" — "There is infinite goodness that I have given you to enjoy." These words perfectly summarize the legacy of this great king.