Kamehameha (カメハメハ)
カメハメハ1世（Kamehameha I, 1758年? - 1819年）はハワイ諸島を初めて統一して1810年にハワイ王国を建国、初代国王となった人物である。カメハメハ大王の名でも親しまれる。
「カ・メハメハ」は、「孤独な人」「静かな人」の意。
イギリスから武器を購入し、マウイ島などのハワイ島周辺の島々を征服していった。
ハワイ島内の政敵は火山の噴火で壊滅状態になったことも統一に幸いした。18世紀末までにはカウアイ島、、ニイハウ島を除く全地域を支配下におさめ、1810年にこの二島もカメハメハに服属して国家統一を成し遂げた。 カメハメハは優れた外交手腕で西洋諸国との友好関係を維持してハワイの独立を守り、伝統的なハワイの文化の保護と繁栄に貢献した。
また彼が作ったママラホエと呼ばれる法律は、戦時における非戦闘員の人権を保護するものであり、今日では世界中で受け入れられている先駆的なものであった。
アリイオラニ・ハレ（ハワイ州最高裁判所）にカメハメハの銅像がある。
Kamehameha (kämā'hämā'hä) , dynasty of Hawaiian monarchs. Kamehameha I (Kamehameha the Great), c.1738–1819, was king of the island of Hawaii after 1790. Through conquest he became (1810) ruler of all the Hawaiian islands, which were previously governed by warring chiefs. Law and order were established for the first time, and the islands became prosperous. Although he was cordial to the traders who visited the islands and encouraged the introduction of their technology, he also insisted on the preservation of the ancient customs and religious beliefs of Hawaii.
His son, Kamehameha II, 1797–1824, succeeded to the throne in 1819. During his short reign, American missionaries were admitted to the islands for the first time. Upon his death in London during a ceremonial visit, his younger brother, Kamehameha III, 1814–54, became (1824) king. His mother, Kaahumanu, who served as regent during his minority, encouraged the spread of Christianity in the islands. American traders entered the islands in large numbers, and there was a growing danger of filibustering expeditions and even annexation from the United States. Under these pressures, Kamehameha III gave in to Western influences. Hawaii was converted from semifeudalism into a constitutional monarchy. A constitution adopted in 1840 provided for religious freedom, representative government, and an independent judiciary; a later constitution (1852) granted suffrage to all adult males.
His son, Kamehameha IV, 1834–63, attempted to resist American influence during his reign (1854–63) but without much success. When his brother, Kamehameha V, 1831–72, became (1863) king, he tried to restore the old tribal ways. The constitution of 1852 was abrogated, and he proclaimed a new one that restored power to the monarch, weakened the legislature, and restricted suffrage. Under his reign, the influence of American missionaries waned rapidly. He died without an heir, however, and the legislature chose his successor, thus bringing to an end the Kamehameha dynasty.