Following his conquest of O`ahu in the Battle of Nu'uanu, Kamehameha the Great remained on O`ahu, preparing to acquire possession of Kauai and Ni`ihau. However, poor weather in the spring of 1796 prevented his invasion plans and a rebellion on the Big Island of Hawaii mandated his return to his home island.
Realizing the danger of leaving the chiefs of O`ahu behind, he was advised to take them with him on his return to the Island of Hawaii, and leave commoners behind whom he trusted to oversee the island. The revolt on Hawaii was led by Namakeha, the brother of Kaiana, a chief of Kaua`i. The final battle of Kamehameha's life occurred near Hilo, on the Island of Hawaii in January 1797 in which Namakeha was captured and sacrificed.
For the next six years, Kamehameha remained on the Island of Hawaii. These were years of peace, yet Kamehameha continued to plan his invasion of Kaua`i, constructing ships that could withstand the harsh currents of the channel between O`ahu and Kaua`i. With the help of his foreign advisors, Kamehameha was able to construct several modern warships and modern arms, including cannons.
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