19 A KINGDOM TO GOVERN

Kamehameha’s Life on O‘ahu May 1, 1924

When some maka‘äinana sailed out to the foreign ships, taking their produce to sell to the foreigners, they received something of value from the foreigners. WKamehameha never asked that person to give him a portion of what was received. He was greatly loved by the maka‘äinana because he did not act greedily toward them. He absolutely followed the instruction which his famous warrior Kekühaupi‘o had given him at Kohala, which was to care for the little man and the big man. Because of Kamehameha’s good actions toward his treasured maka‘äinana, he became truly beloved by his people. He really took care of his people, and this was the main reason for his victory as his warriors gave him all their strength and were attached to him in affection, knowing of his love of mankind. Something else which Kamehameha did was to care for his wives. He appointed servants for them and always looked after their well-being. These mö‘ï wahine had great love for him. However the most kapu ali‘i wahine at his court was Ka‘ahumanu, the guiding star of his royal court. He listened to the good advice given him by this favorite wife, and she became a steadfast part of his royal rule over the various islands which he had gained. Also, the ali‘i who had supported him in his conquest were his favorites, and there was no way in which opposition would occur against Kamehameha, his ali‘i, and his people. It is said in the history of Hawai‘i that Kamehameha dwelt for nine years on O‘ahu, and then he returned to Hawai‘i on board a foreign ship. In those years in which Kamehameha lived on O‘ahu, there were many good things which it would be appropriate to communicate to Ka Hoku readers as it would be an education for those people who do not know the story of this famous ali‘i and his famous warriors in that period of time. In the year 1803, while Kamehameha was on O‘ahu, perhaps in the month of January, a certain ship arrived at , and on board was the very first horse

453 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

which arrived in Hawai‘i Nei. Perhaps that was a merchant ship from .172 When the people and the chiefs first saw this animal, they were astonished and, perhaps because of the wild look (lï‘ö) of the animal when it came ashore, being star- tled and leaping here and there, from the very beginning the name that was applied to it was lï‘ö. Afterwards, some more horses arrived at Honolulu, and some of them became Kamehameha’s, and it was not very long before Kamehameha became very clever at riding horseback. Also, while he was living at Honolulu, he spoke with some of the foreigners who met with him concerning the true God and his power, and that he had made all things. Kamehameha listened well to this talk of the true God and then he said: Truly remarkable is your God, truly he has great power. You say that he has made all things, and he is able to care for you with his power. If this is so, then you, the one who is speaking here, should climb up on that pali there (perhaps this was the cliff of Diamond Hill, which is Lë‘ahi to us Hawaiian people), and you should leap, and if your arms and legs are not broken, then I will say to you that you truly have a powerful god.173

The reason perhaps that Kamehameha spoke these bantering words, to the one who spoke to him of the power of the foreign God, was that he knew the old stories of Hawai‘i Nei concerning the sailing here of the great kahuna Pä‘ao who brought the gods from Tahiti for the Hawaiian people to worship. It was also said in stories about Pä‘ao and his prophets that they leaped from the pali of Ka‘aköheo, and their lives were not harmed because of it. It was the leaping of Pä‘ao and his group which turned the people of Hawai‘i Nei to belief. This is a story to which the old people were accustomed, and perhaps because of its being talked

172 The first documented horse was landed at or near Kawaihae by Captain William Shaler, captain of the Lelia Byrd, in 1803 (Judd 1974:54, 88). See also Shaler (1808) and Cleveland (1843).

173 Cleveland gives the following account of this exchange: “At length, one day, while walking together, the King unusually thoughtful, and Howell auguring favorable from it, the silence was broken by the King’s observing, ‘You say your God is powerful, wise, good, and that he will shield from harm, those who truly worship and adore him?’ This being assented to, then said the King, ‘Give me proof, by going and throwing yourself from yonder precipice, and, while falling, call on your God to shield you, and if you escape unharmed, I will then embrace the worship of your God.’ It may be unnecessary to say, that Howell failed to give the desired test, and that the King remained unconverted” (Cleveland 1843:233–34).

454 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

about amongst the Hawaiians, therefore Kamehameha thought that these foreigners, who spoke of the power of their god, would do likewise. Another thing which was told was that, because of Kamehameha’s wisdom, he made great progress in speaking the foreign tongue and was able to converse with the foreigners when he went on board ships that arrived at Honolulu. Mr. Jarves, the historian, verified Kamehameha’s skill at speaking the foreign tongue in the story he wrote about Hawai‘i.174 One of the famous actions taken by this mö‘ï Kamehameha while he was ruling on O‘ahu was that he realized the true danger in intoxicants and realized the harm to his ali‘i and the maka‘äinana if they should drink intoxicants. Under him were some foreigners who escaped from their ships and fled to the forest until their ship left and then showed themselves to Kamehameha. Because of his kindness, he gave these people a place to live and to do some work to help themselves. When these escapees got some land, they began to plant sugar cane on their piece of land, and when the cane became mature, they made intoxicating liquor for themselves. They pounded the cane with a stone, fermented the cane juice, and made beer [rum] from it which they drank. When they became drunk on this thing that they had made, they fought amongst themselves in the beginning. They left off doing the work for their own good and the result was that Kamehameha heard of this drunkenness of the foreigners to whom he had given the land. He instructed them that it was not right for them to do this and become people who only fought. They did not heed Kamehameha but made more rum for themselves. The commotion amongst themselves began again and then spread amongst some of the Hawaiian families, and some Hawaiian people were beaten by these drunken foreigners. When Kamehameha heard of this, he ordered those drunken foreigners to appear before him and commanded that they be whipped with a rope and this punishment was carried out on the backs of those drunken ones.

174 Jarves states that: “Although Kamehameha learned to converse in English with tolerable fluency, he never acquired the art of writing...” (Jarves 1847:100).

455 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

After this beating, Kamehameha said to them in a solemn voice that, if it was heard that they again drank rum and beat the people who had the land, then they would be beaten again and tied with rope and pulled to where the multitudes would see them. Perhaps these solemn words by Kamehameha caused fear in those foreigners who liked intoxicants, and they ceased to do it. On a certain day Kamehameha went on board a foreign ship. While he was on board he saw a large anchor and went to look at it and walked around it. While he was handling the anchor, the ship’s captain said jokingly to Kamehameha: “If you are able to lift that anchor, then I will give it to you; however, it will not be yours if it swings from the deck of the ship.” In the mind of the captain, Kamehameha would absolutely not be able to lift that great anchor because five men could not lift it. Kamehameha looked at this captain and asked him: “What about the chain which is fastened to this anchor? Will it become mine if I am able to lift the anchor and the chain too?” The captain laughed and said: “If you are able to lift that anchor and the chain too at the same time and throw it in the sea, and you and your people are able to get it ashore, then the anchor and this chain also will become yours.” When Kamehameha heard the captain’s words, he looked at him with a sharp eye and said: “Ea, are these words of yours true, and you are not just fooling me? You do not fool me, captain?” The captain continued to laugh and said jokingly: “True, no fooling.” Then Kamehameha said in English to the captain: “All right, no fooling.” He immediately gathered up the chain and placed it on the anchor. Then he put his right hand under the stem and crosspieces, and when he saw that it was held fast in his strong hands, he grunted mightily, lifted the anchor to his right shoulder and swung it up. At that moment the captain and his officers were astonished to see the amazing strength of this mö‘ï of the Polynesians. They were unable to say a word and stood there filled with astonishment because they had never seen such a man as this who was able to lift a great anchor.

456 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

When the captain saw the anchor swing to Kamehameha’s shoulder, he thought to take back his word and to withhold the anchor and perhaps say to this strong ali‘i of the Hawaiian people that he was only playing when he said those words. However, he thought again that perhaps this would not be a good thing to do, to cheat this really strong ali‘i of the Hawaiian people.

Kamehameha’s Justice May 8, 1924

Kamehameha lifted that great anchor close to the gunwale edge, and then he called some of his people to take the chain off the anchor while he was holding Kup the anchor. Some of the ship’s people assisted in removing the chain, and when it was removed, he threw the anchor into the sea as though it had been just a little piece of iron. When the captain saw the anchor fall into the sea, he was very regretful because it was not possible to get the anchor ashore, and therefore it was a loss. The captain spoke to Kamehameha concerning the uselessness of the anchor and that it was now of no value to Kamehameha. “This valuable property is mine as we have agreed, and I will do everything necessary to get the anchor ashore. Watch, O captain, until you see it placed on shore.” Kamehameha turned and ordered his expert divers (ihupani) to dive where he had thrown the anchor and to roll it ashore. Because heavy objects in the sea are light, this command was carried out, and that heavy anchor was gently rolled ashore to the sand of Waikïkï and it became Kamehameha’s. Another admirable thing about Kamehameha was that he was not hasty in issuing blame for complaints made at his court. If a certain person or ali‘i had grum- bled about another and his bad nature was spoken of, then he would seek the thoughts of the populace concerning that ali‘i or man who was accused by some people. This is how he would act. When a certain person was seized by the ilämuku and confined because of some accusation, Kamehameha would not immediately punish that person or ali‘i. The confined person would be kept in the hands of the ilämuku, and observers (kiu) would be secretly sent out, or Kamehameha himself would sometimes go, to listen without the knowledge of those in the people’s houses.

457 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

When an offender was seized in the hands of the ilämuku, there would be talk by the populace about that person who was seized, and late at night, when it was dark, Kamehameha would go to the gable (kala) of the people’s houses and listen to what was said in the house. He would have some kï leaves tied at his loins, the right-hand ones being the side of life and the left-hand ones being the side of death. While he was listening outside the house, if he heard someone in the house blaming the offender who was confined by the ilämuku, then he would make a knot with the leaf on the left-hand side. If he heard approval expressed, then he would knot the kï leaf on the right-hand side. If he saw that most of the knots were on the good side for that man, then the offender would be released. And if on the left-hand side there were many knots, then that offense was condemned. If Kamehameha was dubious about the blame for that offender, then he would call in his people who had heard the words of blame or of approval to appear in the presence of himself and his ali‘i, and the two parties would discuss it. These actions by Kamehameha caused doubt in persons who might make accusations of a person and also became something which caused the people to see that he thought of his people and desired to act justly toward the accused. After he heard the things pertaining to that complaint, then he would also listen to the witnesses on the side of the accused and question them about the offense and the man’s way of life amongst the people—whether he was a worker or only a shiftless one (‘ae‘a wale) who went from house to house seeking sustenance by attaching himself to others. Then Kamehameha would fully understand the complaint and perhaps release the offender held in the hands of the ilämuku. This sort of action by Kamehameha became a means of extinguishing the useless sort of life led by some people, and confirmed amongst the people his disapproval of shiftless persons who only hung around others’ doorways. Before he called together the court for the seized offender, he would convene his conference of counselors (käkä‘ölelo) and lay before them the knotted kï leaves and perhaps explain what he had heard. When this was laid before his council, then he would commence the trial and his council would also hear the two parties. When the trial was ended, he would meet again with his council, and before uttering his decision to release or punish, he would question the council and listen to their explanations, but not, however, to just follow their words of approval or censure.

458 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

After the council meeting, then he would ponder his decision because he was the one who had full power over the life or death of the offender. This was indeed an act of wisdom by this foremost ali‘i of the Hawaiian race, and these acts of his gave him the love of his maka‘äinana as they understood he cherished the welfare of the maka‘äinana under his protection. Also, these actions by Kamehameha brought doubt in those who sought fault in their fellows, and the person who only sought to harm his fellow man became very cautious.

Kamehameha Meets Captain Barber May 15, 1924

In Kamehameha’s decisions, he never favored an ali‘i who needlessly caused difficulties for the people, and some ali‘i were expelled from his court because Iof breaking of the bond of love between husband and wife. Kamehameha did not at all approve the taking of any wife of an ali‘i by another. At a time when a certain high ali‘i seduced the wife of Keaweaheulu and Kamehameha learned of this disturbance in the lives of his makua, he expelled that high ali‘i from his presence and caused him to become a wanderer in Puna. From the wanderings of that high ali‘i in Puna, came some Puna ali‘i, some of whom are living to this very time, and perhaps some of the descendants of that high ali‘i are living in the “chill of Waimea.” The editor of this story has explained this in order that you, the new genera- tion, may know of the real wisdom in government of this famous ali‘i of your land and your race. It would be well to perpetuate the unforgettable remembrances of this most famous conquering ali‘i of your land, O Native Hawaiians. In the year 1809, perhaps, a certain Russian ship arrived at Honolulu carrying on board a certain foreign castaway named Archibald Campbell. He had been brought by that ship from Sannack.175 On his arrival in Honolulu, he was hospitably received by Kamehameha who assisted him by giving him land to live on.

175 Sannack Island is in the Aleutians (Jarves 1847:99; Campbell 1967:44-46). It is also identified as Halibut Island on the end-paper map in Campbell.

459 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

This foreigner lived with Kamehameha, and after a year he returned to England on a whaling ship named the Duke of Portland. Kamehameha caused this foreigner and the captain of the whaling ship to take some things to the king of England. They took a beautiful feather cloak and a letter by Kamehameha to the king of England. In that letter were some questions concerning the promise made by Captain Vancouver to send a warship full of goods from England and some brass cannons. In this letter, Kamehameha also wrote of his regret at being unable to assist the king of England with his warriors because of the great distance of Britain from Hawai‘i. (Perhaps that letter was written by John Young or by that castaway messenger whom he had received so hospitably.) This castaway later wrote some things about Kamehameha, telling of his very good treatment by this Polynesian ali‘i and his kind-heartedness to him, showing the nature of Kamehameha’s life and his genuine good-heartedness. At some times Kamehameha would put on European garments, however, not all the time. When he was garbed as a high-ranking warrior chief, he was truly distinguished—his body was straight and broad-shouldered and his limbs were really strong. He also described the life of this ali‘i of the Polynesians: that some of his ali‘i were well supplied with foreign knives and forks and had excellent bowls and plates, and when Kamehameha entertained him, he did so with the use of the knife and fork, showing his skill in meeting with foreigners. Perhaps Kamehameha acquired these European customs through his hospitality toward the foreigners at his court, some of whom had become his favorites. It was also reported that there were sixty white-skinned foreigners living at Honolulu when that foreigner [Campbell] was so hospitably treated. One important thing told about Kamehameha at that time of his life was that in the year 1796, perhaps a little before Kamehameha returned to Hawai‘i, a ship named the Ata [Arthur], commanded by Captain Henry Barber, arrived in the sea just off O‘ahu. When that ship arrived at O‘ahu, Kamehameha was living at Waikïkï, and he entertained this captain, and they became good friends. Because certain people of Kamehameha’s close circle (aloali‘i) became familiar with the captain, they began to

460 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

wheedle him for rum, and they hinted to Kamehameha to ask the foreigner for what they wanted. “If you have a desire for rum, then you should think of asking our captain friend, but you must remember that this foreign liquid causes genuine commotions and disputes will grow amongst us.” When Kamehameha again met with Captain Barber, he asked him for liquor for his ali‘i, but not liquor which had been mixed so as to decrease drunkenness amongst those who desired the liquor. The captain agreed; however, he mixed that whiskey (rama wikeke)176 with water so that there would not be drunkenness amongst Kamehameha’s ali‘i. When Kamehameha got that liquor, he tried it first, and he realized that his friend had not kept his word, and he turned and spoke to one of his ali‘i: “The foreigner had a good thought in giving this kind of liquor mixed with water instead of the unmixed kind. But he has done wrong, he did not fulfill his promise to me. I shall, however, return that deed to him, not like this, but to teach him that a promise between two friends is important.” Just after this event which has been described, word came of a rebellion against Kamehameha by Nämakehä, a Hilo ali‘i. When this news came, Kamehameha immediately left O‘ahu and sailed to Hawai‘i. However, before his return to Hawai‘i, he invited Captain Barber to sail to Hilo and there be entertained as a distin- guished visitor. Kamehameha truly did return and fought a battle with Nämakehä and his forces, and that rebellion was quelled. Just after the end of the battle, Captain Barber’s ship arrived at Hilo, and Kamehameha held a great feast for his distinguished guest, his old friend at O‘ahu. Kamehameha had some good liquor at this time, and when it was given to the ali‘i at the feast, the people came and were also given liquor. Captain Barber had none. The liquor was given a second and a third time, and again Captain Barber had none. Then Captain Barber was surprised, and he turned and asked Kamehameha in English:

176 Rama [rum] or lama was used as a generic term for any intoxicating drink.

461 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

“Where is my rum?” Kamehameha replied laughingly, also in English: “You do not want rum. You do not drink rum. You drink water (‘A‘ole ou makemake rama. ‘A‘ole ou inu rama. He inu ‘oe i ka wai).” Because of this reply by Kamehameha, Captain Barber immediately remem- bered that rum which he had given Kamehameha and which was mixed with water until it was very mild (ano mänalo loa). Then that captain laughed, continuing to laugh and said these words:

Captain Barber’s Ship Goes Aground May 22, 1924

“I thought you had forgotten that I mixed water with the whiskey, yet here you are letting me know of that. You remember such things,” said Captain IBarber to Kamehameha. “I do not forget these things which are done. Because I knew you put a great deal of water in the rum, I thought you preferred water to the rum, therefore I gave you strongly diluted rum. I am paying you back for what you did,” said Kamehameha with a smile. The ali‘i sitting at that table laughed, as did Kamehameha, because Captain Barber did not get any rum. At that time Captain Barber spoke to Kamehameha of the reason for his actions which was to prevent excessive drunkenness amongst his ali‘i. If he had given them strong drink, they would have become drunk, and there would have been a commotion. “That act of yours was good, Captain Barber, but the only trouble is that you did not fulfill the promise between two friends. This is important, and because of this, I have instructed you so that you will know it is not good to break a word of promise.” Then Captain Barber understood the correctness of the words of this ali‘i of an uneducated race, and he apologized to Kamehameha for cheating him. Kamehameha forgave him, and they feasted happily. When Captain Barber returned to O‘ahu,

462 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

Kamehameha said these joking words to him in English: “Captain! I am afraid you will drink much water at O‘ahu (Ke hopohopo loa nei wau e nui loa ana käu inu ‘ana i ka wai ma O‘ahu).” Perhaps Captain Barber did not really understand the import of Kamehameha’s words until the very time that ship went aground at Kalaeloa on O‘ahu. At that time, the thought behind these words by Kamehameha was understood because the ship and the captain truly drank a great deal of the water of the ocean. When the captain left Hilo, Kamehameha sent his spittoon bearer with the command to stay at the bow of the ship until it arrived at O‘ahu. The people of the ship knew this was Kamehameha’s man on the bow of the ship, and knowing this, they therefore took care of him until the ship arrived on the evening of a certain day at Waikïkï. That evening, without the knowledge of the foreigners, that man leaped from the ship and swam ashore. When he got ashore, he met with the ali‘i living on O‘ahu at that time. He reported to them why he had returned in advance on the ship of Kamehameha’s captain friend, which was that the O‘ahu people should make a tribute of appropriate goods to this friend of their ali‘i ‘ai moku. On the next morning, the canoes were seen sailing to where the ship was anchored, bringing various supplies, such as chickens, pigs, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, kalo, and also yams, so that the ship was well supplied with these things. It struck the mind of the captain that it was of real value to have friends such as this good ali‘i of the Hawaiian people. Shortly after this tribute-giving to Captain Barber’s ship at Waikïkï, he set sail for Kaua‘i. This was the 31st day of October. However the ship went aground between Wai‘anae and ‘Ewa at the place where the lighthouse now stands. Because of this grounding, that point is called Barber’s Point until this very time. When Kamehameha heard of the grounding of the ship at that place, he turned and said to his ali‘i who were staying with him at Hilo: “How very remarkable! My words which I spoke to Captain Barber have been fulfilled—that ship has grounded at that place on O‘ahu and is continuously drinking the sea water.”

463 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

The Fragrant Wood of Hawai‘i Nei May 29, 1924

When the ship went aground at Kalaeloa, the ali‘i on O‘ahu knew that this foreigner was a friend of Kamehameha. The people were commanded to assist Wthe foreigners and to save the cargo of the ship. The captain reported being helped and that his cargo was not plundered. When foreigners met with this famous ali‘i of Hawai‘i, they learned of his just acts toward them. Kamehameha opened up trade between himself and them and forcefully instructed his ali‘i and people not to commit mischief on board their ships nor to steal things from them. There was trade with them, and the foreigners on the various ships were treated justly. Kamehameha was an ali‘i who ruled over the Hawaiian race in those ancient times which have been called by some people “the era of ignorance in the land,” yet he was truly enlightened in his administration of his land and his people. He did not at all approve greedy actions by his ali‘i and, when there was such action by his ali‘i or some of the stewards (konohiki) of the land which oppressed the people, and Kamehameha heard of it, he would terminate that konohiki who had mistreated the people. Something very important is addressed in this story concerning the source of wealth of Hawai‘i during the time of Kamehameha. Kamehameha traded with ships, some of which sailed to China. The source of wealth in Hawai‘i in those days was sandalwood (‘iliahi), also called the fragrant wood (lä‘au ‘ala). This was greatly desired by the Chinese at that time. In the seventh year of Kamehameha’s reign on O‘ahu, some of his foreign friends spoke to him about the great value of that wood and that it was a source of wealth for him and his land. Because of this, Kamehameha ordered his ali‘i and people to climb up to the mountains of O‘ahu and chop the sandalwood and to seek out this valuable wood. Because of this command to the people to chop the sandalwood trees, people were afterwards named Kalä‘au‘ala [The Fragrant Wood] and Kekua‘iliahi [The Chopper of Sandalwood]. These names came from those events. Also, because of the

464 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

sound of the adze on the trunk of the sandalwood tree, some people were called Kaleookeko‘i [The Voice of the Adze]. In this manner, some parents named the next generation Kalä‘au‘ala or Ka‘iliahi. These names were given only because of climbing up to chop sandalwood for the ali‘i Kamehameha. In the understanding of some of the old people of Hawai‘i Nei, they afterwards would say “I was born at the time of the first climbing up to chop the sandalwood of the ali‘i Kamehameha.” This was a great work by the ali‘i and the people who climbed in the moun- tains. Days and weeks were passed living in the mountains, seeking the places where the fragrant wood grew. Sometimes shelters of kï leaf were made in the mountains, and the family would stay in them, descending at times for food. Also some people ate the wild kalo and some other foods to be found in the mountains. For two years Kamehameha caused this work of enrichment to be done, and seeing its great value, he made a law which reserved the sandalwood for himself. This wood could not be chopped without his approval. Kamehameha sold the sandalwood to the merchant ships which came to Honolulu, and he received dollars and other goods such as clothing, weapons, guns, and powder. Also received to assist in some tasks were iron tools such as farming tools and iron fishing hooks. Kamehameha became a truly wealthy ali‘i ‘ai moku. After two years of cutting the sandalwood on O‘ahu, Kamehameha went to Hawai‘i to cut sandalwood as, perhaps on that large island, it grew wild everywhere on the mountains of the great Hawai‘i of Keawe. This return of Kamehameha to Hawai‘i was called the journey of Kanï‘aukani, and perhaps it might be well to speak in the future of the reason for its being so called. When Kamehameha arrived on Hawai‘i, he immediately called up his people and ali‘i to climb the mountains for sandalwood. This command by their ali‘i ‘ai moku was obeyed by them because they believed in him and thought this an important command, so the mountains of Hawai‘i were crowded with people who chopped sandalwood. At this same time, Kamehameha commanded, as was his custom, the care of certain things for the future. He commanded the people to care for the young sandalwood, not to cut immature trees, and if they were seen, not to trample them. He said to them:

465 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

“When cutting the wood for the ali‘i, be thinking of the young trees for the young ali‘i. After we have gone, they will not be poor because we did not understand that this source of wealth will benefit the young ali‘i in the future.”

The First Hawaiian Flag June 5, 1924

It was said that at one time Kamehameha desired to send his own merchant ship with sandalwood to Canton in China. He had in mind a flag for his ship Ias he saw that all the other ships that took merchandise to China had flags showing the land from whence they had come. He wished to attempt to trade with China, there- fore he sent a ship with Captain Winship in command. The ship did indeed sail to China and sold its cargo of sandalwood to the Chinese. When the ship returned with the payment, Kamehameha quickly realized the benefit he had received over and above that of just selling his sandalwood to the foreigners. Perhaps because of the wisdom of Kamehameha, he determined to enter into trading with the foreigners in foreign lands in order to receive a profit for his sandalwood. As has been said, the desire grew in Kamehameha to do as the other merchants did and have his own flag on his own ship to trade sandalwood in other lands. He conferred with John Young and Alika [Alexander Adams], a British foreigner living in Kalihi, who lived long afterwards and was always known by the name of Captain Alika. They discussed a flag for Kamehameha’s ship which was to trade at the far land of China. Because of the thoughts of the ali‘i about having a ship sail to China to take the sandalwood for sale there in order to get the best price, Kamehameha and his ali‘i, assisted by John Young, Isaac Davis, and Captain Alika, sought a flag to place on the mast of Kamehameha’s ship.177 The ship was a man-of-war equipped with sixteen guns. It was desired to be used as a trading ship but yet equipped with guns. This was not surprising in those days as the trading ships had guns in order to fight off pirates at sea. There were a great

177 See Kuykendall (1968:55n.).

466 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

many Chinese pirate ships in the China Sea, and the merchant ships sailed equipped with the means to defend themselves from these pirates. Kamehameha’s council met, including his foreign friends, and the very first flag of Hawai‘i was made by Captain Alika, assisted by his foreign friends. That very first flag of Hawai‘i Nei was hoisted on the after-mast of the trading ship which was known at that time by the name of Forester. The ali‘i Kamehameha was the owner of that ship carrying the very first flag of the Hawaiian kingdom. The ship sailed to Macao in China and, when it arrived there, this new flag whose government was unknown caused some excitement. The cost of the duty on the ship’s cargo was so great that the merchandise was not profitable (ua kü‘ai ho‘opohö loa ‘ia). When the ship returned and Kamehameha learned that his flag had not been rec- ognized and that the duty for his ship on its arrival at the Canton harbor had been so high, he said to the ali‘i and his foreign friends: “The ships coming to Hawai‘i must pay” and it was so done and perhaps this was the first time that duty was charged in the Hawaiian Archipelago. That Hawaiian flag, which was first made for the Hawaiian Kingdom by Kamehameha and his foreign friends, truly became the flag of Hawai‘i and was always flown until the 25th day of February, 1843, which was the day on which Hawai‘i was seized by Lord George Paulet. This was perhaps the very first time that the flag of the most famous conquering ali‘i of Hawai‘i was pulled down. However, some months later, on the 31st day of July of the same year, that beloved flag of Hawai‘i Nei was again raised, and the British flag was taken down outside of Kulaokahu‘a, the place now called Thomas Square. It was so called to honor the Christian Admiral Thomas who returned the sovereignty of the land, and the “Hae Pua Rose o Hawai‘i Nei” again waved in the breezes of Hawai‘i Nei. These are some explanations to the readers of Ka Hoku o in order to educate them a little bit as to the story of how the first flag of this beloved land of ours was made, a flag beloved by those ali‘i who sleep surrounded by aloha at Mauna‘ala [the royal mausoleum at Nu‘uanu, O‘ahu]. After Kamehameha had lived on O‘ahu for nine years, he returned with numerous ali‘i to the great island of Hawai‘i, going to the fragrant land in the peace of the Kona districts, which was always beloved by the old ali‘i of this land of Hawai‘i Nei. This was a very distinguished journey made by Kamehameha when he returned to the island of his birth.

467 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

This journey was called Kanï‘aukani,178 and the reason for this was because of the sound of the midribs (nï‘au) of the numerous kähili which were set up on the plat- forms of the many canoes which were returning to Hawai‘i. These midribs sounded when the wind struck them. When this journey to return to Hawai‘i in the year 1811 [1812] was begun, Kamehameha and a great number of the ali‘i were on board a ship named Keoua, and that ship was followed by a fleet of numerous canoes and some other smaller ships. However, when they reached a point off the island of Läna‘i, a leak was noticed in the Keoua. When this was noticed, a certain Hawaiian man named Waipä, who was an experienced carpenter, sprang overboard and nailed a piece of tarpaulin over the leak. When the leak was patched a little bit, the ship returned to Honolulu, and Kamehameha and his ali‘i boarded Captain Winship’s vessel which took them to Kealakekua in South Kona. This is one of the things told concerning the return of Kamehameha to Hawai‘i. However, here is something to show all the aspects of the story (nä ‘ao‘ao a pau). Here is the story written by the historian Ali‘i S.L. Peleioholani concerning the return of Pai‘ea Kamehameha to the Kona districts on Hawai‘i. When Kamehameha reached the ‘Alenuihähä Channel and the hump-backed island of was seen by the people on the ship, Kamehameha turned and spoke to his son, Liholiho, who was perhaps fourteen years old at that time. These are the words of the father to the son: E Kalani kua Liholiho i ke kapu ë! We are going in person to see the land and the ali‘i and the people also, and we shall both see the large period of time and the small period of time (ke au nui me ke au iki). The little time is the division between some Kaua‘i ali‘i. My only com- mand to you is to be alert in the future. Your mother, Keöpüolanikauhiakama will care well for you and also your younger siblings, Kalanikauikeaouli and Nähi‘ena‘ena and also your people.

178 According to Kamakau, the name Kanï‘aukani was derived from a musical instrument introduced at the time which was made of a thin strip of bamboo and strings (Kamakau 1961:199, 204).

468 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

The care of the kapu of the god is for your hoahänau, Kekuaokalani. It is his right to care for the god of you two. The right of your parents and your chiefly ancestors continues with them, and you must not bar (ho‘öpe‘a wale) their rights.

It was said that, when Kamehameha was speaking with his first-born son (käna keiki hiapo),179 there were not many ali‘i who overheard, but at this time, there were these very high-ranking ali‘i wahine of the court of Kamehameha whose names were: Ka‘ahumanu, Kaheiheimälie, Ulumäheihei, Maheha Kapulikoliko, Peleuli, Pauahi, Kaho‘änokükïna‘u, and the Princess Kamämalunuiomano, Keahikunikekau‘önohi, Kekupuohi Ka‘oanaeha, Kahaanapilo, Kalikookalani, Keku‘iapoiwa Liliha, Manono, and Kaniu. These were the ali‘i who heard these loving words by Kamehameha to his son Liholiho. These were words showing the nature of this great conquering ali‘i of Hawai‘i Nei in thinking of the benefit of his people whom he was placing under the rule of his son Liholiho.

A German Named Scheffer Arrives180 June 12, 1924

When Kamehameha arrived at Kona, he realized there was famine in the land because the people had been neglectful of his command to them to apply their Whands (e häwele nä lima) to the soil. When Kamehameha saw this trouble in the land, he set himself as a good exam- ple for the people. He took up farming and perhaps this was when he farmed at Kuahewa, that vast farm plot at Kainaliu181 which lies there until this very day.

179 The word hiapo means first-born, but Pauli Ka‘öleiokü, not Liholiho, was Kamehameha’s first-born (Kamakau 1961:79). Perhaps Liholiho was so-called because he was of higher rank and the recognized heir of . As such, he may have been treated as the hiapo. 180 Comparative reading in regard to the events in this chapter should be done. See Kuykendall (1968:54), especially the section headed “Foreign Relations,” Pierce (1965:15), and Howay (1933). 181 See Kelly (1983:74–75) for a discussion of the approximate location of Kuahewa.

469 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

Kamehameha called all the ali‘i, and also the able-bodied maka‘äinana, and began to wall off the land because the cattle [brought by Vancouver] had multiplied and were causing damage in the farms. That wall lies there until this very time. At this time when Kamehameha, his ali‘i, and people were engaged in making the wall and commencing to farm, a certain Russian ship went aground at Waimea, Kaua‘i. Perhaps this was the year 1814 [1815].182 When this ship full of merchandise went aground, the crew was saved by Kaumuali‘i, then the governor (kia‘äina) of Kaua‘i, and the cargo was also saved. This good act by the chiefly governor (kia‘äina ali‘i) of Kaua‘i was known, and the news reached the owner of the Russian ship whose name was Baranoff who lived at Sitka. This Russian governor sent a German named Kepa (Schaeffer) [Scheffer]. That German arrived at Kailua on board a ship named Isabella and was received hospitably by Kamehameha. He told Kamehameha the reason he had sailed to Hawai‘i, and Kamehameha sent a messenger to Kaumuali‘i on Kaua‘i asking him to return the cargo of that stranded ship and also saying that he had heard of its good care by Ali‘i Kaumuali‘i. That German foreigner had brought some guns, powder, and bullets, and he took that property with him to Kaua‘i. He was received hospitably by Kaumuali‘i at Waimea, and the captured property of the ship was returned to him because Kamehameha had sent a command before the arrival of the foreigner. That German foreigner lived at Waimea, Kaua‘i, and built a house for himself there. He began trading with the ali‘i and people of Kaua‘i, and his goods which he had brought to Kaua‘i were sold to the ali‘i Kaumuali‘i and some other ali‘i. These goods were the pistols, muskets, powder, and bullets he had brought, and payment by the Kaua‘i people was the fragrant sandalwood, known as ‘iliahi. While that German foreigner was living and trading at Kaua‘i, a Russian ship named Discovery arrived there. On board were thirty Kodiak Indians who had been sent by the Russian governor to assist Kepa [Scheffer] at Waimea. That Russian ship returned with the cargo of the stranded ship, also taking the sandalwood bought by the German from the Kaua‘i ali‘i. Those Indians stayed on

182 The ship was named Atahualpa and was later renamed the Bering (Howay 1933).

470 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

Kaua‘i, some men and their wives. These people were put to work by that German for- eigner in building a fort at the mouth of the estuary (muliwai) of the Waimea River. The idea of this work by those Indians and the Russians who came as new- comers, was to take Kaua‘i for the Russians. At the same time that those Russians and Indians were on Kaua‘i, two Russian ships arrived at Honolulu, one named Makala. One was commanded by Captain Long, and the second ship was a bark (kiapä) commanded by an American. There were a total of ninety sailors on board these Russian ships. This great number of Russians stayed at Honolulu and began to build houses for themselves and established a place to set up their cannons, and their houses were filled with weapons. At the same time they set up a flagstaff and hoisted the Russian flag on it, and it was understood that these Russians thought to take the land for themselves. Kamehameha had been living on Hawai‘i for four years when the news of these land-grabbing actions by the Russians reached him. He sent Kalanimoku, Ulumäheihei, Näihe, Kaikio‘ewa, Ka‘öleiokü, and Ke‘eaumoku with numerous warriors equipped with foreign weapons. These ali‘i were commanded to go and fight with those foreigners if they opposed them, and to expel them from the land. These ali‘i did arrive at Honolulu and expelled the Russians. Kaleimoku [Kalanimoku] built a fort for Ali‘i Kamehameha at Honolulu, setting up some cannons on it. These actions by Kalanimoku were assisted by the chiefs who had sailed with him and the warriors whom Kamehameha had sent with them. These are some of the words written concerning these actions of the Russian foreigners. When the people of O‘ahu, and the American and British foreigners living on O‘ahu at that time, saw these actions by the Russians, they were disturbed and immediately sent the news concerning this land-snatching by the Russians to Kamehameha on Hawai‘i. When this news reached Kamehameha, he was fearless. He disregarded the fact that he was being opposed by the people of a certain great government. He immediately chose Kalanimoku and some ali‘i under him and furnished him with well-conditioned (mälo‘elo‘e) warriors to fight those trespassing foreigners. Kamehameha ordered Kalanimoku: “Go and expel those land-grabbing foreigners.

471 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

However treat with them agreeably, but if they are stubborn and fight, then use a hard hand (lima ‘o‘ole‘a). But if they heed your command to depart from the land, then evict them without harm to their lives.” Kalanimoku did indeed heed the instructions of his ali‘i ‘ai moku and acted with prudence, ordering the Russians to leave O‘ahu and go away from the land of the mö‘ï Kamehameha. The result of this good work by the ali‘i Kalanimoku was that they triumphed without the shedding of blood. This was indeed a wise act by Kamehameha. If perhaps the lives of those land-grabbing people had been harmed, then Kamehameha would have been involved in a war with a government much better equipped with weapons of war than his. By Kamehameha’s good words of instruction, his little government escaped entering an entanglement with the power of another government. We of this era can well understand the political astuteness of this mö‘ï of a land in the Pacific Ocean. We also see his fearlessness when he was opposed. This Napoleon of the Polynesians was truly foremost. When Kalanimoku and his ali‘i arrived at Honolulu, he went and spoke peaceably with the trespassers. After the discussion, and because the foreigners saw the great number of warriors behind Kalanimoku and his ali‘i companions, they became fearful and agreed to leave O‘ahu and sail elsewhere. Those Russian ships, which were steered by American captains, departed and sailed directly to Kaua‘i where that German foreigner was directing the [Kodiak] Indians. When that ship [ships] arrived at Waimea, the Russians went ashore and stayed under the power of that man who was appointed as their governor.

The Russian Fort and Captain Kotzebue June 19, 1924

Not long after those Russians landed at Waimea, a dispute arose between Kepa [Scheffer], the German foreigner, and the American captain, and perhaps Nbecause of the power given Scheffer by the Russian governor [at Sitka], that American captain was fired and his ship’s officers ordered to take the ship to Hanalei Bay. By the actions of Scheffer, it is understood that he had acquired the beautiful Hanalei Valley. In the gossip of those days, it was said that Scheffer had an agreement

472 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

with Ali‘i Kaumuali‘i to build a fort for Kaumuali‘i at Waimea, and then Kaumuali‘i would appoint him konohiki of the valley of Hanalei. That German foreigner did indeed build an earthen fort close to the mouth of the estuary (muliwai) of the Waimea River, aided by the [Kodiak] Indians and also by the Russians who had left O‘ahu when they arrived on Kaua‘i. However, that crafty German foreigner, with his Russian workmen, hoisted the Russian flag on the flagstaff he had set up on the fort. When the flag was run up the flagstaff and that Russian knew that his fort with its cannons was strong, he demanded that Kaumuali‘i lease (ho‘olimalima) him the entire island of Kaua‘i for a long period of time. That German foreigner acted haughtily, as though he was the lord of that island, and this initiated a dispute between him and the Kaua‘i ali‘i. The news of these disturbances by the Russians under that German reached Kamehameha on Hawai‘i. He immediately sent a messenger to Kaumuali‘i, demanding that he immediately expel those foreigners who were disturbing the good lives of the ali‘i and people of Kaua‘i. It is true that Scheffer was expelled from Kaua‘i by Kaumuali‘i. He, his Indians, and those who had sailed to Kaua‘i after being expelled from O‘ahu all departed from Kaua‘i. These actions on Kaua‘i by Scheffer had not been approved by the Russian government, who had sent him there, nor by the Russian governor at Sitka, Alaska. On the 21st day of November, A.D. 1816, a Russian warship arrived at Kealakekua, Hawai‘i, commanded by Captain Kotzebue who met with Kamehameha. This Russian captain was hospitably received by the ali‘i Kamehameha, and when the captain invited Kamehameha to sail on his ship, he refused. It was said that the reason for his refusal of this kind invitation by the Russian captain was the annoyance of the people and their ali‘i over the haughty actions of those Russians on O‘ahu and at Waimea on Kaua‘i. When the captain repeated his invitation, Kamehameha revealed to him the reason he did not wish to sail on his ship, which was the bad thoughts of the Hawai‘i ali‘i and people about the haughty actions of the Russian people. Kamehameha met pleasantly with that Russian captain, but he did not sail with him. However, when the Russian was preparing to depart from Kealakekua, Kamehameha gave him many hogs, fish, sweet potatoes, and other goods. Because of

473 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

these good acts by Kamehameha, just before the departure of the ship, the Russian captain gave Kamehameha two brass cannons and also some reels of wire and long iron bars. These gifts were something which were of great help to Ali‘i Kamehameha. When the Russian ship left Kealakekua, it sailed directly to Honolulu. This was the very first183 foreign warship to enter the harbor of Honolulu. He had sailed with a certain document from the ali‘i Kamehameha, written perhaps by one of his foreign favorites, to the kia‘äina Kalanimoku at O‘ahu and also to some foreigners living at Honolulu under Kalanimoku. It communicated Kamehameha’s thoughts to Kalanimoku about this Russian captain. In that letter to Kalanimoku, Kamehameha wrote that it was not necessary for the Honolulu people to be perturbed about the Russian warship as this Russian captain was a good man and a friend of his. Before Kalanimoku was able to explain to the ali‘i and the people about Kamehameha’s message, the arrival of the Russian ship in the Honolulu harbor caused alarm because they had not forgotten the actions of the Russian people on O‘ahu.

Kotzebue Surveys Honolulu Harbor June 26, 1924

The people were content with Kalanimoku’s explanation of the nature of these Russians. But when they saw the Russians setting up flags in various places of THonolulu Harbor, they became alarmed. They thought the Russians were repeating their former actions and attempting to take the land, and that they were setting up those flags because they thought to take the entire island of O‘ahu. These flags, some of which stood in the sea and some on the shores of Honolulu Harbor, caused the people to speculate, and the place where the Russians worked was crowded with Hawaiians speaking of these new actions as plundering the land of Ali‘i Kamehameha by the Russians. However, the truth was that these flags which stood in various places were for a survey of the harbor, and a diagram was made of it to guide the various ships which entered the harbor.

183 Captain Vancouver preceded Kotzebue and both their ships were exploratory rather than war vessels.

474 Chapter 19 • A Kingdom to Govern

These actions by the Russians almost caused a fight between the Russians and the Hawaiians who decided to fight these land-grabbing trespassers. The only thing which saved a fight between them was the arrival from Hawai‘i of Keoni Ana [John Young’s son]. Seeing these actions which caused a disturbance, Keoni Ana immediately asked the Russians to remove those flags, and where they had stood, to replace them with stakes (aupülumi—literally broom handles). The Russians listened to Keoni Ana’s advice and knocked down those staffs with their flags and replaced them with stakes. Keoni Ana explained to the people the thought behind these actions by the Russians which was to survey Honolulu Harbor to aid ships entering thereafter. Most of the Hawaiians understood this and thought well of the Russian actions, but, however, a few people spoke these words openly: The Russians are doing this work, and then afterwards, they will come and grab the land of Ali‘i Kamehameha as they are a race not to be trusted. We have seen previously what they have done here and as far as to Kaua‘i. The entire island of Kaua‘i was almost taken by this crafty race.

However, after several days of acute observation of the Russians’ activities, the Hawaiians understood that they intended no mischief and that perhaps Keoni Ana’s explanation to them was correct. The suspicions of the ali‘i and the people were ended, and this captain and friend of Kamehameha became the friend of the O‘ahu people. He and his ship’s officers were invited to make a trip to Pu‘uloa to see a spear-hurling exhibition by the Hawaiian ali‘i. The captain and his officers accepted the invitation and went to Pu‘uloa. An exhibition by sixty ali‘i was held. The captain was full of admiration for the skill of the Hawaiian ali‘i at this form of warfare, and he said that perhaps there was no other race to excel the Hawaiians in it. He said that, if not for the development of bullets which could kill the enemy from afar, there would be no race which could stand before the spears of the Hawaiian ali‘i. A feast was held for this captain and the Hawaiian ali‘i at Pu‘uloa, and this friend of Kamehameha also became the friend of the O‘ahu ali‘i. They feasted happily until the very time that they left Pu‘uloa and returned to Honolulu. The captain was full of pleasure at having seen these things with his own eyes. (This Russian captain

475 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o

wrote a history of what he had seen in the land of the Hawaiians and of the agreeable dispositions of the ali‘i and the people of Hawai‘i Nei.) That Russian ship left Honolulu Harbor on December 14, 1816, and they fired a farewell salute which was the very first time this had been done at Honolulu Harbor. It was done because of the Russian captain’s good thoughts about the ali‘i and people of Hawai‘i Nei. After Kamehameha had lived on Hawai‘i for seven years, he became terminally ill. He was an old man as it might be guessed that he was eighty-three years old. Kamehameha’s illness began in a remarkable way. It was called kanikani‘ä‘ula by the Hawaiian people of those ancient times. He had insomnia constantly. He had constant nightmares so that he could not sleep well at all. This became a matter of great sorrow to the ali‘i and the maka‘äinana who truly loved their ali‘i ‘ai moku. Because of his inability to sleep, he went from strength to weakness. Because of this, the famous kähuna were fetched and also the seers of this great island of Hawai‘i. They sent for the kähuna of other islands. The greatest of all the kähuna who came to Kamehameha was Huaimanonoikala, a famous kahuna from Häna, Maui.

476