Born in Kohala, Hawaii Island, Kamehameha I (c. 1758? - 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the conqueror who united the Hawaiian Islands, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the founder of the Kamehameha Dynasty. In his youth, he accompanied his uncle, King Kalani'opu'u, the ruler of the island of Hawaii, to meet famed English explorer James Cook on his ship the Discovery and fought with him in the 1779 battle during which Cook was killed.
When King Kalani'opu'u died in 1782, the island of Hawaii was divided between his son, Kiwala'o, and his nephew, Kamehameha. Kamehameha battled Kiwala'o and others for control of the island. After seizing power, Kamehameha found allies in such foreigners as Isaac Davis and John Young. In 1790, he attacked Maui with their help, and they served as his advisors for many years. Kamehameha soon used his relationships with traders to build up an armory of Western weapons, trading Hawaii's much coveted sandalwood for arms.
Over time, he and his army were able to use their superior firepower to take charge of most of the Hawaiian islands. The last holdout was Kauai's leader Kaumuali'i, but he eventually made a deal with him to avoid battle, and by 1810, Kamehameha became the first king to rule all the Hawaiian Islands. During his reign, he governed following Kapu, an ancient system of rules and laws. He also established new principles, including Kanawai Mamalahoe, or "law of the splintered paddle." This law, which protected the defenseless as well as travelers, was inspired by an encounter with some fishermen.
About the stamp
The stamp is a Global Forever one, depicting The Moon, about which I wrote here.
References
Kamehameha I Biography - Biography.com
Kamehameha I - Wikipedia
Sender: Marius Vasilescu
Sent from Honolulu (Hawaii / United States), on 29.03.2018
A reproduction of an oil portrait by James Gay Sawkins, which hangs in the Grand Hall of Iolani Palace
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