Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 9, 1 September 2011 — TRANSLATION OF ARTICLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Help Learn more about this Article Text

TRANSLATION OF ARTICLE

By Puakea Nogelmeier Greetings, Armstrong, Here is the text for publishing in Ka Elele From me, KeoniAna Lahaiiialuiia, July 22, 1845 Fond Regards to Kamehameha III., Asmall topic of discussion. Sometimes your servant goes to get some old gentlemen, men who knew Kahekili and lived in his kingdom

and in the reign of Kamehameha I., and we discuss the righteousness and quality of

their handling of the government, for we have heard about the activities at Lahaina and Wailuku in matters that have eome before all of you. The elders say that in the time of Kamehameha I., the advisors were the only counsellors to the king, those who were trained and knowledgeable in the reigns of previous rulers. Then, when the king would ask, "Who was a wicked and evil king to his people, who oppressed the commoners?" only the advisors could describe the actions of the ancient rulers, the chiefs who were good and those who were cruel. When the king heard about the kings who did good works, he followed the example of those earlier rulers. I say to them that trust in the ancient virtues of Hawaii has ended; that when the land was seized, we were in distress,

and independence had to be restored by foreign nations. Now our diplomatic Officers have returned, and the great Nations have acknowledged Hawaii's independence under Kamehameha III., so the King has appointed foreigners to manage the Hawaiian government in the ways of enlightened nations. The elders say "We have great eompassion for Kamehameha III., with the nation's treasury being used up on the foreign officers he has appointed in the government. We therefore think that our opinions should align with the important

persons, the Judges, the Tax Officers, and the persons at Lahaina and Wailuku, to refute having foreigners preside as officials here in Hawaii. since most of the

chiefs are not working, yet ; these foreigners absorb all of the nation's money. Appoint chiefs to fill their places." [I ask,] "Who are the chiefs who should fill their positions?" [To whieh they reply, ] "Leleiohoku, Paki, Keoni Ana." I respond that they may have positions now, and may not be able to do those things. Those persons at Lahaina may have misunderstood the great Nations' statements

about being independent. The kingdom of Hawaii was apparently acknowledged to be independent and to function in an enlightened manner. Who, though, is an educated person here in Hawaii who ean translate the laws in the parliament of the British royals - to translate them into Hawaiian so that all the virtues of that powerful nation heeome virtues for Hawaii's own people? Whieh educated chief is able to translate the fine laws of America so that all of the rights of the American government heeome rights for the Hawaiian government? Whieh bright Lawyer here in Hawaii ean clarify all of the principles of France so that those principles ean heeome benefits for us? The same is true for Belgium, Italy, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Germany, and all the European nations, so that their fine works

could heeome benefits here in Hawaii. For then I would readily agree on the letter refuting the foreign Officials, for that is the desire of the British royals and the French rulers. According to what I have heard, the Queen of Britain and Philip, the King of France, said, "The Kingdom of Hawaii shall be considered ready to engage in proper interactions with the other independent nations, so both of us hereby acknowledge the independence of the Kingdom of Hawaii." So Hawaii's people were given approval to act in an enlightened manner and to follow the model and the actions of the enlightened nations. Therefore, it is clear to me, and I have given great thought to these things, and this decision comes from what would benefit our nation. Therefore, the foreign Officials should not be refused when educated natives are not available. I, too, am one of your humhle servants seeking prosperity. By S.M. Kamakau.