When Afrikans began to leave the continent, populating the world, one of their primary modes of travel was by sea. They were great mariners, using star systems to plot their various journeys. We witness this in the Nile Valley in how the stars were used to construct various buildings and temples. This was especially true with the Mandela of Dendereh, whereby Afrikan astronomers, in the 3rd century B.C.E., mapped out the star system, including the 12 constellations; the Greeks would later call the Zodiac. 
Benjamin Banneker, America’s first American Afrikan scientist, with Dogon ancestry, whose knowledge was learned in the Nile Valley, used this same star system in helping to design Washington D.C. The founding fathers were Masons, a secret Afrikan fraternity, who wanted to make the capital the new Kemet (Egypt). The one-dollar bill is filled with Kemetic (Egyptian) symbolism.
One of the areas Afrikans navigated to were the Pacific Islands. It is no accident the majority indigenous populations of the islands, including Australia and New Zealand, are dark-skinned individuals, descendents of earlier migrating Afrikan populations. They did not begin to get lighter until the miscegenation of invading Asians. 
The geographic area called Hawai’i is no exception. When investigating early available photos of indigenous Hawai’ians, before the wholesale European and Asian invasions, they were jet-black people of Afrikan descent.
The most famous and venerated indigenous Hawai’ian is Pai’ea Kamehameha, better known as Kamehameha I, or Kamehameha the Great. His most noted fete was uniting all of the Hawai’i Islands into one kingdom. When visiting Hawai’i, in front of the Supreme Court building is a tall, jet-black statue of Kamehameha. Buildings, streets, schools and other structures are named after him. He began a Kamehameha dynasty that would last for several generations.
As legends grow with most great figures, sometimes myth and reality become disguised in telling their story. Kamehameha was born in North Kohala on the island of Hawai’i, sometime between 1748 and 1761. It is said that he was born on a stormy night, during which a bright star, Kokoiki, appeared in the heavens. Some historians believe that Kokoiki refers to Halley’s Comet, which was visible in the night skies in November or December of 1758.
Kahuna, or Hawaiian priests, witnessing the celestial event, prophesied the birth of a child who would grow up to be a mighty chief, destined to unite all of the Hawai’ian Islands. The ruling ali’i (chief) of Hawai’i Island ordered the infant to be put to death. The cloaked newborn was spirited away to Waipi’o Valley, where he was raised in secrecy by foster parents.
In time, the aging ali’i no longer felt threatened by Pai’ea. After five years Pai’ea was allowed to return to his parents in Kailua-Kona. There he was given the name Kamehameha, or “the one set apart.” (Tammy Yee, native Hawaiian author.)
In his adult years, he organized a great army and a large fleet. He declared war on the kings of Hawai’i, Maui, O’ahu and Kaua’I, defeating them all. Other islands surrendered peacefully to avoid unnecessary human destruction. This brought about a unified Hawai’ian Kingdom. 
During his reign, there was peace. His enterprising efforts were very profitable to the kingdom. He established trade with other countries, using taxes to promote trade with the Americans and Europeans. He also developed the sandalwood industry. He introduced various laws that especially protected the weak and insured that every man, woman, and child had the right to “lie down to sleep by the roadside without fear of harm.” He unified the legal system. 
In 1816, he introduced the Hawai’ian flag, with its Union Jack in the upper corner and 8 stripes representing the eight main Hawaiian Islands. 
Kamehameha died on May 8, 1819 in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawai’i. As was the ancient tradition, his bones were hidden to protect their mana, or power. To this day, no one knows where he was buried.
- Dr. Kwaku’s next history class in Leimert Park begins Friday, 7-9pm, September 19th. See www.drkwaku.com for details.

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