Jessica Maynard, age 15, of Nampa, Ida., for her question:    

WHO WAS KAMEHAMEHA?

Kamehameha was the man who founded the kingdom of Hawaii. He rose to power through ability and strength. Here's how you pronounce his name: ka may ha may ha.

After Kalanipu'u, the chief of Hawaii, died in 1782, Kamehameha conquered the island. He later won additional victories, climaxed in 1795 by the bloody Battle of Nuuanu Pali on the island of Oahu.

Kamehameha used cannons to drive Oahu's defenders over a steep cliff near Honolulu. He brought the island of Kauai into the kingdom peacefully in 1810.

Kamehameha greatly increased Hawaii's foreign trade. He kept alive the old customs and religion of his people, but after his death in 1819, missionaries spread Christianity throughout the islands.

A statue of Kamehameha represents Hawaii in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.