Magical Hawaiian Menehune Dolls: King Kamehameha the Great

King Kamehameha the Great

1850 – 1819

Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi

Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea

Aloha Mai, Aloha Aku—Love received, love returned

I MUA KAMEHAMEHA

I mua, i mua e na Kamehamameha

I Eola na Mamo Hawaii

Lokahi, Kupa’a, a me ke Aloha

O ka’u makia, pa’a ia.

E ala e Hawaii nui o Keawe

E ‘oni e Maui a Kama

Kiko’o e Moloka’i nui a Hina

Ko Lani’ua hiki mai nei.

Go forth, go forth all ye of Kamehameha

Long live the descendants of Hawaii

Unity, loyalty and love

Are our steadfast ideals

Arise, great Hawaii island of Chief Keawe

Appear Maui, island of Chief Kama

Extend great Moloka’i of the Goddess Hina

Your royalty has arrived

According to legend Hawaiian Kahunas (priests) prophesized that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief who would unify the Hawaiian Islands. It is believed that King Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii. His birth name was Paiʻea (Hard-Shelled Crab). The current Ali’i (royalty) did not like the idea of losing power. That was why Pai’ea was hidden from warring clans in secluded Waipiʻo Valley after birth. Later he was renamed Kamehameha (The Lonely One) and trained as a warrior.

His legendary strength was proven when he overturned the 3.5 ton Naha Stone in Hilo on the Big Island. Legend said that whoever had the Mana (divine power) to move the Naha Stone would unify and rule the Hawaiian Islands.

Today, the Naha Stone is located in front of the Hilo Public Library.

Destined for greatness from birth, King Kamehameha was known as a great warrior, diplomat and leader.

King Kamehameha had visions and the ability to achieve his many goals with a focus on infrastructure and raising funds for weapons and canoes to empower his forces. Even his marriages to about 30 wives, were strategic moves to create alliances and increase his

As a ruler he often needed to conquer or be conquered which led to fierce battles. This was not always his goal. Peaceful agreements were his preference. In 1790 the fortress-like Puʻukoholā Heiau was built on the Island of Hawaii. It prophesied King Kamehameha’s conquest of the islands. In 1810, after acquiring the island of Kauai in a peaceful agreement, that prophecy was finally fulfilled.

With strategies and timing and after many years of conflict, King Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom on June 11th, 1810. This significant event also prevented the Islands from being torn apart by competing western interests.

Up to this day June 11^th is known and honored as King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii. It is a celebration of togetherness for the entire nation where different cultures come together and recognize each other.

Four statues stand on the Hawaiian Islands in honor of King Kamehameha’s memory. Every June 11^th they are ceremoniously draped with flower leis to celebrate Hawaii’s greatest king.

Hilo was King Kamehameha’s first seat of government.

At fourteen feet the tallest of the four statues is located at Wailoa State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii.

King Kamehameha died in May of 1819. Nobody knows for sure where his resting grounds are. A Hawaiian proverb says ‘The morning star alone knows where Kamehameha’s bones are guarded’.

According to legend, King Kamehameha I may be buried at the royal palace of Moku’ula in Maui in the grotto of a half-dragon, half-woman named Kihawahine. Others believe his remains are in a cave in Maui’s Iao Valley, where many great Hawaiian chiefs are buried.

Chosen from birth to lead his people, King Kamehameha I was truly a great king, ruler above all others, strategist and philosopher.

King Kamehameha inspired unity, loyalty and love in all.

King Kamehameha I inspired the creation of Hawaiian Art Doll Kamehameha.

Kamehameha (the Lonely One)

Inspired by King Kamehameha the Great

Birth Date: Lulai 21, 2023 (07-21-23)

In the spirit of King Kamehameha the Great, Kamehameha inspires unity, loyalty and love.

A light in the sky with feathers like a bird signals the birth of a great chief!

Aloha mai, aloha aku—Love received, love returned

Named after King Kamehameha the Great, Kamehameha stands proud and tall holding his Ihe (spear). He is the leader of his people, being incredibly strong and always protecting and guiding all with his divine Mana (spiritual energy).

Kamehameha invokes the protection of the spirits.

In the spirit of the great King, Kamehameha always guides his people to peaceful agreements, promoting unity, loyalty and love. The people are overjoyed and often honor and thank him by wrapping fragrant flower and Maile leis around his neck.

They even wrote a song in his praise:

I mua, i mua e na Kamehamameha

I Eola na Mamo Hawaii

Lokahi, Kupa’a, a me ke Aloha

O ka’u makia, pa’a ia.

Go forth, go forth all ye of Kamehameha

Long live the descendants of Hawaii

Unity, loyalty and love

Are our steadfast ideals

Kamehameha wears the red and yellow colors of the Ali’i (royalty) on his cape, helmet, Malo (loincloth), belt and shoulder strap. The clasp of his cape is the tooth of a Hawaiian Ahi (tuna) fish. The collar is made out of hair. He has tattoos around his ankles, left arm and on his chest.

Kamehameha is a 10” tall cloth doll who was individually handcrafted on the Big Island of Hawaii with the greatest love and respect for all that is Hawaii. His body is made out of doll skin and stuffed with high quality poly fill. The body is wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. All accessories were individually hand crafted.

Kamehameha is not a dress up doll. All clothing and accessories are sewn and/or glued onto him.

Doll care: Gently brush the dolls and their clothing with a soft toothbrush to remove dust. Always brush the faces and bodies upwards towards the hair. Do not brush the hair!

Kamehameha is a one of a kind Hawaiian Art Doll and comes with a booklet and certificate of authenticity. He is a collector’s item bringing you the spiritual power of Hawaii.

Every bit of Kamehameha has been lovingly handcrafted to create a new friend who will last a lifetime.