text: who was king kamehameha?   kamehameha, also known as kamehameha i and kamehameha the great (circa 1758-1819), unified the hawaiian islands in battle and formally established the kingdom of hawaiʻi in 1810. a skilled diplomat, kamehameha developed friendships with the major colonial powers in the pacific resulting in the preservation of independence, as well as a guarantee of peace and prosperity of the kingdom, for future generations of native hawaiians. kamehameha is most noted for his vehement defense of traditional hawaiian values and the kapu system of law and religion. he is also remembered for mamalahoe or the law of the splintered paddle, used today throughout the world protecting the human rights of non-combatants in times of battle.