[2][3][4][5] Kamehameha I took control of western and northern Hawaiʻi island (the Kona and Kohala districts) in 1782, but for the eight years following, fought in a number of inconclusive battles.

After returning from Maui in 1790, he was attacked by his cousin Keōua Kuahuʻula who still controlled the East side of the island.

A respected kahuna (priest) named Kapoukahi suggested building a luakini heiau (sacrificial temple) to gain the favor of the war god Kūkaʻilimoku.

The red stones were transported by a human chain about 14 miles long, from Pololū Valley to the East.

[6][7] The ship Fair American had been captured in 1790, along with one surviving crew member, Isaac Davis, after the incident at Olowalu.

Davis and a stranded British sailor named John Young became important military advisors to King Kamehameha.

The invaders were no match for the artillery and were repelled in what was known as the Battle of Kepuwahaʻulaʻula (red mouthed gun), just north of Waipiʻo Valley.

Perhaps he was surrendering to fate, discouraged by losing many of his warriors in the Battle of Hilo and subsequent volcanic eruption of 1790.