Monday, September 15, 2008

Lekeleke Battle Grounds


























This is the Lekeleke Burial Grounds. The year following the death of Kamehameha I in 1819 was a turbulent time for Hawaiians. The Native community was divided by the abolishment of the ʻaikapu by Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kamehameha I's wife Kaʻahumanu. Many Hawaiians still believed in the traditional ways, beliefs, and gods. One chief named Kekuaokalani (Liholiho's cousin), called "The Last Defender of the Hawaiian Gods" by Kalākaua and his wife Manono led their warriors to battle against the forces of Liholiho to defend the traditional ways. 

Heavily armed with guns, Liholiho's warriors defeated Kekuaokalani and his warriors at this site. Their slain bodies were covered with pōhaku and to this day remain buried here at Lekeleke.





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