This statue of King Kamehameha I was commissioned to honor this ruler who united the Hawaiian Islands and to commemorate the 100 year discovery of Hawaii by Captain Cook. Designed by a Boston sculptor living in Italy, the statue was shipped from Europe in 1883. Unfortunately the ship with the statue wrecked near the Falkland Islands and a second statue was commissioned with insurance money. About two years later, this original statue was discovered as rescued by Falkland islanders. The same ship captain purchased the statue, brought it to Hawaii and resold it to the government. The minor damages were repaired and the statue now stands in Kapa`au, Kohala, the birthplace of King Kamehameha. Every year on June 11th, the five Kamehameha statues are decorated: Kapa`au, Hilo, Honolulu, Maui, Washington,D.C. Can you imagine the fragrance?
