Kamehameha Dynasty
The House of Kamehameha, or the Kamehameha Dynasty, was the reigning family of the Kingdom of Hawai'i between the unification of the islands by Kamehameha the Great in 1810 and the death of Kamehameha V in 1872. Its most important contributions were the institution of a constitutional form of government, abolition of ancient Hawaiian kapu systems in favor of westernized laws, proclamation of the Edict of Toleration giving all Hawaiians freedom of religion and the promulgation of the Great Mahele, appropriating lands to native Hawaiians who could for the first time in history own private property.
Preserving Independence
The House of Kamehameha also is responsible for maintaining and preserving the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Hawai'i from the encroachment of European colonial powers in the Pacific Ocean. It secured treaties with Austria, Belgium, Bremen (present-day Germany), Denmark, France, Germany, Hamburg (presently-day Germany), Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New South Wales (present-day Australia), Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Swiss Confederation, Sweden, Norway, Tahiti (present-day France), United Kingdom and United States.
Kamehameha Monarchs
