The excerpt chronicles the turbulent period in Hawaiian history from 1782 to 1791, termed the “Decade of Strife & Tears.” It follows the power struggle among the island’s chiefly families—chiefs Kīwala‘ō, Kamehameha, Keawema‘uhili, Keōua, Keoua, and their allies—through a series of battles (Moku‘hai, Honaunau, the War of Hāpu‘u, campaigns on Maui and O‘ahu) and political maneuvers. The narrative weaves together eyewitness accounts (Kamakau, Fornander, Ellis), oral chants, and later archaeological observations to reconstruct the sequence of events, the shifting alliances, and the role of prophecy. A pivotal development is the arrival of Western ships (the Iphigenia, the Fair American, and the vessel Eleanor) that introduced muskets, cannons, and swivel guns, dramatically altering the balance of power. The text also details the massive public‑works project of building the Puʻukoholā heiau, its religious significance, and the associated human sacrifices. Genealogical ties through marriage (e.g., Kamehameha’s unions with Peleuli, Ka‘ahumanu, and the high‑ranking Keōpūolani) are presented as strategic consolidations of power. Natural disaster— the 1790 eruption of Kilauea—affects Keoua’s campaign, illustrating the interplay of environment and warfare. Maps and place‑names enumerate the geographic scope of the conflicts, while later scholarly commentary notes the paucity of archaeological study of battlefields. The chapter concludes with the unification of Hawai‘i under Kamehameha, the extinction of the senior Keawe line, and the establishment of a new ruling dynasty.
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The Decade of Strife & Tears (1782‑1791): Fragmented Kingdoms and Kamehameha’s Ascendancy
An overview of the political fragmentation of Hawai‘i Island after the death of Kalani‘ōpu‘u, the competing claims of Kīwala‘ō, Keawema‘uhili, Keōua, Keoua, and the emergence of Kamehameha as the dominant force.