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.
In 1802, the fleet left the Island of Hawaii and after a year's stop on Maui, proceeded to O`ahu in 1803, preparing the invasion. A terrible disease, the precise nature of which has never been established, but most likely cholera or typhoid fever, struck O`ahu, resulting in the deaths of many chiefs and soldiers. Kamehameha was also stricken with the disease, but survived. However, the invasion of Kaua`i was again postponed.
For much of the next eight years of his reign, Kamehameha continued his plans to conquer Kaua`i, purchasing numerous foreign ships. Kaua`i, however, was never to be conquered. The island was brought into the Kingdom, through a negotiated agreement brought about by a face-to-face meeting between the reigning ruler of Kaua`i, Kaumualii and Kamehameha on O`ahu in 1810.
At long last, Hawaii was a united Kingdom, under the rule of Kamehameha I.
In the early years of his rule, Kamehameha surrounded himself with a body of advisors consisting of five chiefs who had played an integral role in the conquest of Hawaii. They were consulted on most matters of state. However, as they died, the influence of their sons dwindled, and Kamehameha gradually became the absolute monarch.
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