The wars were over and the Kingdom of
Hawaii firmly established. At Kamakahonu, his estate at Kailua Village in Kona,
Kamehameha devoted his last years to ruling his kingdom as a benevolent and
just monarch, encouraging prosperity, conducting business with foreigners, and
educating his son Liholiho as his successor. The painting depicts him wearing a
simple kapa garment in conversation with his son Liholiho. Beside him
stands his prime minister, Kalanimoku. The prince's attendant, wearing a short
yellow cape, is John Papa L'i, who later became an important historian. The
fish in the foreground represent the gifts of food brought daily to the court.
Two ladies of the court are seated at left. Kamehameha's residence was a
complex of thatched structures around a tranquil cove at Kailua Bay. Across the
cove stands his private temple, 'Ahu'ena.
Page 125, Voyagers
Link to on-line publication of Ancient Hawai'i
