Question

Review the text.
Kamehameha's Legacy
Paragraph 1: Like many powerful leaders of the past, King Kamehameha I of Hawaii is a ruler associated with great myths and legends. According to one story, strange lights appeared in the sky when he was born. Another legend tells of how he overturned a seven-thousand-pound stone to prove his place as the rightful ruler of Hawaii. While we may never know the truth of these stories, Kamehameha's achievements have earned him a place among history's great rulers.
Paragraph 2: Before Kamehameha's time, various high chiefs, or ali'i (pronounced ah-LEE-ee), ruled different areas of Hawaii's major islands: the "Big Island" of Hawai'i, Kaua'i, Oahu, Moloka'i, Lanai, and Maui. Upon the death of an ali'i, new chiefs were appointed and land was redistributed. These events were often followed by bitter battles for power and control. As a result, periods of peace frequently alternated with periods of war, creating instability among the Hawaiian people.
Paragraph 3: In 1782, the head ali'i on the island of Hawai'i died. Before his death, though, he made a stunning decision—he split his power between his son, Kiwalao, and his favored nephew, Kamehameha. This caused a conflict between the two young men, which other ali'i tried to take advantage of when it came to determining how land was to be redistributed. A bitter battle ensued over control of the island of Hawai'i. Even though Kiwalao died early in the battle, the remaining ali'i continued to struggle for full control of Hawaii's largest island. Finally, after eight grueling years of fighting, Kamehameha gained total power over the island.
Paragraph 4: Even though Hawaiians lived in separate territories within the island chain, they shared similar religious and cultural practices. As Kamehameha came to power on the island of Hawai'i, other ali'i fought for power on the other islands. Kamehameha saw that the constant fighting was harming the Hawaiian people. He believed that for there to be lasting peace, the islands should be united under a single ruler. He was determined to be that leader, hoping that a swift, decisive military victory would put an end to the fighting.
Paragraph 5: The late 1700s saw the arrival of foreigners to the Hawaiian islands. Many traders and explorers stopped in Hawaii during their travels to and from the Americas and Asia. These newcomers introduced new weapons like guns, cannons, and warships, changing the way Hawaiians fought.
Paragraph 6: Kamehameha took advantage of these new weapons in his quest to unite the islands. He stockpiled the weapons and recruited foreigners to help him with military strategy. With the aid of new equipment, new ideas about warfare, and the support of a religious council, Kamehameha became a powerful military leader. He continued his quest to unite the other islands through force and strategic negotiation, and by 1795, he also controlled the islands of Maui, Oahu, Lanai, and Moloka'i.
Paragraph 7: With five of the six major islands successfully united, Kamehameha set his sights on the island of Kaua'i. To prepare for this fight, he built modern ships and armed his warriors with muskets. The anticipated battle never happened, however, because Kamehameha reached an agreement with Kaua'i's leader. It was decided that the current ali'i would continue to lead Kaua'i, but Kamehameha would reign over him. By 1810, Kamehameha had successfully unified the Hawaiian islands.
Paragraph 8: At long last, the people of Hawaii were at peace and Kamehameha could now focus on economic and political development. He promoted Hawaii as a new global trading port, which significantly strengthened the Hawaiian economy. He honored ancient cultural systems while creating a new government structure for Hawaii.
Paragraph 9: King Kamehameha's reign came to an end when he died in 1819, but his legacy of a unified Hawaii remains to this day.
Read the following incomplete summary of the text. Which sentence should be added to make this a more complete summary?
Before Kamehameha I, Hawaii's main islands were ruled by ali'i _________________________________ Kamehameha used his military and strategic power to unite all the islands under one rule. His leadership choices helped Hawaii transition into a more peaceful and unified kingdom.
A. Kamehameha was the most qualified person to rule after his uncle's death/
B. Each Hawaiian island had different religious and cultural practices.
C. There are six main islands found in the island chain of Hawaii.
D. Hawaiians faced instability due to frequent struggles for power.

Answer 1

D. Hawaiians faced instability due to frequent struggles for power.

This matches Paragraph 2's point that chiefs fought over land and power, causing alternating periods of war and peace and general instability—providing the necessary context before saying Kamehameha united the islands.