Close But Not Close Enough

May 7th, 2009 | Print | By Richard Wong

Kamehameha vs. Kalanikupule

Before King Kamehameha ruled the Hawaiian Islands another ruler by the name of Kalanikupule was supreme on Oahu. Recent victory on Oahu led the chief to grow very ambitious and had his sites set on Kamehameha and the Big Island. These two already had a tumultuous past, which included previous battles without a clear victor. On January 1, 1795, the Oahu King initiated his plan, which included a meticulous plot to take ships from its white owner William Brown and use them to invade Kamehameha’s territory. While some of the ships men were dispersed inland, the Hawaiians surprised the remaining few on the ship killing Brown and others. Kalanikupule prepared his war party of approximately 40, forcing the remaining sailors to sail the Prince Lee Boo and the Jackal for the Big Island. However, instead of sailing down the coast the acting captain steered abruptly out to sea and in several minutes overwhelmed with bravery and perhaps some luck the outmanned crew regained control of the ships. Kalanikupule was then sent ashore and the ships sailed away. Upon hearing this Kamehameha felt he was as strong as he would ever be and in the early months in 1795 engaged in battle with the Oahu chief and the rest is history…

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