Kamehameha the Great is honored throughout Hawaii for uniting the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. He proved to be a wise and gifted ruler and became a true father to his people. His famous statue is prominently displayed. King Kalakaua was known as the "Merry Monarch" for his music and the Hawaiian Renaissance he brought to his island nation. He revived the hula, built Iolani Palace, was the first reigning monarch to travel around the world and issued Hawaii's only silver coinage in 1883