Joseph Lee Jr., age 13, of Chattanooga, Tenn., for his question:

WHO WAS RAMEHAMEHA?

Ramehameha was the man who founded the Kingdom of Hawaii. He rose /j to power through ability and strength. Here's how you pronounce his name: kah may ha may ha.

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

Ramehameha 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.

Ramehameha 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 Ramehameha represents Hawaii in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.