Cultural context of Hawaiian royalty
Hawaiian lava sledding (heʻe hōlua) was a traditional sport and religious ritual practiced by the Native Hawaiian nobility, including the aliʻi (chiefs) of the era in which Kamehameha I lived. As the first ruler of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii, Kamehameha I participated in and presided over the traditional cultural practices of his people, which included these high-status athletic and ritualistic activities.