King Kamehameha Hawaii Leader

King Kamehameha is often recognized as one of the greatest monarchs and leaders of Hawaii. “Acclaimed as the strongest Hawaiian ruler, he maintained his kingdom’s independence throughout the difficult period of European discovery and exploration of the islands—a task that proved too great for his successors” (Kamehameha I). While King Kamehameha deserves recognition for his accomplishments, in my opinion, Queen Ka’ahumanu was the better leader. In her early years, she was married to Kamehameha I and “…supported him in his efforts to unite the islands of the archipelago under his central authority and shared largely in their governance” Kaahmanu). Queen Ka’ahumanu greatly helped the “strongest Hawaiian ruler” actually lead Hawaii. She was able …show more content…
“By marrying the chief of Kauai, Kaumualii, she succeeded in bringing the northern island under firm control of the Hawaiian kingdom, something her first husband had been unable to do through military conquest” (Borreca). Queen Ka’ahumanu also placed the needs of the country ahead of her own and did was was necessary to strengthen Hawaii. “By her own ingenuity…Kaahumanu placed herself in positions of power in both government and religion that would have been forbidden of other women” (Borreca). On top of that, Queen Ka’ahumanu encouraged the missioners and learned to read and write. Eventually her political power led to Queen Ka’ahumanu receiving the central role in encouraging Christianity, a position that a woman in New England would never be given. When the new ideas about Christianity came to Hawaii, Queen Ka’ahumanua accepted them instead of rejecting them. A leader is someone who is able to accept new ideas and change with the ever changing world, and that is actually what she did. Even by foreigners, Queen Ka’ahumanua was considered a respected leader. “As she led, the people followed”