Thousands of years ago, Polynesians traveled across the Pacific Ocean to discover the islands that we call Hawai`i. It is a chain of eight islands that are named Hawai`i, Mau`i, Moloka`i, Kaho`olawe, Lana`i, O`ahu, Kaua`i and Ni`ihau. Kamehameha, the adopted nephew of Kalani`opu`u, conquered all of them by killing opposing chiefs and finally uniting all of them under one rule. He ruthlessly led his army to attack anyone in his way of taking control of the islands. Kamehameha was an effective leader because he was intelligent, thoughtful, and he adapted to new ideas.
Kamehameha was an effective leader because he was very intelligent. During the sandalwood trade, he placed a kapu on young sandalwood trees so that the Hawaiians