he moena päwehe küikawä a specially-designed...

From time to time, the journal presents special Legacy Materials. The background photograph on thecover of this issue shows a mat woven from the makaloa perennial sedge (Cyperus laevigatus), a solid-stemmed marsh plant unique to Hawai‘i that was best known for its semi-cultivation on Ni‘ihau wherethe weaving of makaloa mats flourished.

One of the most well-known makaloa mats was woven in the early 1870s by a Ni‘ihau woman namedKala‘i. Approximately seven feet by six feet, the mat was painstakingly woven with reddish-brown reedsheaths and lighter-colored reeds of the makaloa to produce an elaborate petition to the governmentrequesting a reduction in taxation on the people. Larry Kimura, Professor of Hawaiian Studies in KaHaka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikölani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, kindlybrought this important historical artifact to the attention of the journal. The journal acknowledgesRoger G. Rose for his research on the mat published in his article, “Patterns of Protest” from BishopMuseum Occasional Papers, June 1990 (30:88-117) and also thanks Bishop Museum Library stafffor their assistance.

Most of the documents presented here were translated by a journal language specialist. However, thearticle “He Moena Päwehe Makana” (A Gift of a Patterned Mat) published May 2, 1874, in Ka NüpepaKü‘oko‘a (The Independent Press) and the translation of the mat’s text, which appears three times, isreproduced as part of the Hawaiian Ethnological Notes by Mary Kawena Pukui.

A Specially-Designed Mat

151

Aia aku aia mai, e ho‘opuka hou ‘ia ana he Palapala Ho‘oilina küikawä. He hö‘ike ke ki‘i kä‘ei kua o ka‘ili alo o nëia puke pai i ka moena makaloa (Cyperus laevigatus), he meakanu ulu i ke älia a i kaulana loaho‘i i kona ulana maiau launa ‘ole ‘ia ‘ana ma ka mokupuni ‘o Ni‘ihau.

‘O kekahi o nä moena makaloa kaulana loa ‘o ia ka i ulana ‘ia ma ka ho‘omaka ‘ana o nä makahiki 1870e kekahi wahine Ni‘ihau, ‘o Kala‘i kona inoa. Ma kahi o ka ‘ehiku kapua‘i i ka ‘eono kapua‘i ka loa meka laulä o këia moena i pa‘u nui ‘ia a pa‘a maila ka ulana ‘ia ‘ana o nä lau makaloa mäku‘e me nä lau‘ähiehie mai he noi kupaianaha i ke aupuni e ho‘ëmi ‘ia ka ‘auhau ma luna o nä holoholona. Na LarryKimura, he Polopeka Ha‘awina Hawai‘i ma Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikölani o ke Kulanui o Hawai‘i ma Hilo,i ho‘omaopopo ‘olu‘olu mai i këia puke pai nei no ua moena kahiko a makamae lä. Ke ho‘omaika‘iaku nei këia puke pai iä Roger Rose i pa‘i ‘ia kona noi‘i ‘ana no ua moena lä i loko o käna ‘atikala ‘o“Patterns of Protest” mai ka Bishop Museum Papers, Iune 1990 (30:88-117). Ke ho‘omaika‘i pü aku neii nä limahana o ka Hale Waihona Puke o ka Hale Hö‘ike‘ike o Kamehameha i ko läkou kökua.

Ua unuhi kekahi laekahi ‘ölelo o këia puke pai i ka hapanui o nä palapala ma lalo iho nei. Ua unuhi ‘ianö na‘e ka ‘atikala “He Moena Päwehe Makana” o Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a o ka lä 2 o Mei, 1874, a me ka‘ölelo ma ka moena, i hö‘ike ‘ia ‘ekolu manawa, na Mary Kawena Pukui mai loko mai o käna HawaiianEthnological Notes.

He Moena Päwehe Küikawä

150

This is a composite of the makaloa protest mattaken in three separate photographs around1990. The photographs were made underultraviolet light to reveal badly faded letters.(Bishop Musuem photographs by ChristineTakata.)

He ki‘i këia i ho‘opilipili ‘ia nä ‘äpana ki‘i he‘ekolu a ho‘okahi ma kahi o ka makahiki 1990.Ua pa‘i ‘ia ma lalo o ke kukui kuawehi. (He ki‘iHale Hö‘ike‘ike o Kamehameha na ChristineTakata.)

he moena päwehe küikawä 153152 ka ho‘oilina: journal of hawaiian language sources • 2003

he moena päwehe küikawä 155

Enlarged photograph of the top center of themat, taken under ultraviolet light. (BishopMusuem photograph by Christine Takata.)

He ki‘i i ho‘onui ‘ia o luna waena o ka moena malalo o ke kukui kuawehi. (He ki‘i Hale Hö‘ike‘ikeo Kamehameha na Christine Takata.)

154 ka ho‘oilina: journal of hawaiian language sources • 2003


1. Local News

We have heard that the woman of Ni‘ihau whoweaves geometric-designed mats, Kala‘i, wascommissioned by the King to weave several suchmats–two mats, one with the symbol of Americaand the other with that of Britain.

This article identifies the weaver who created the famous makaloa protest mat presented to KingKaläkaua. Upon receiving the skillfully fashioned piece, Kaläkaua asked the woman to weave twomats for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. It appears, however, that she did not, because nosuch mats are known to have been a part of the Exposition (Rose 30:93). From Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a (The Independent Press), May 2, 1874. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440 (III:296-298), Mo‘okini 36-37.

Local News


1. Nü Hou Küloko

Ua lohe mäkou, ua kauoha ‘ia ka wahine ulanamoena päwehe o Ni‘ihau, ‘o ia ‘o Kala‘i, e kaMö‘ï, e ulana i mau moena päwehe i ‘elua maumoena me ke ki‘i hö‘ailona o ‘Amelika a pëlä nöho‘i ko Pelekänia.

1 Nu Hou Kuloko.

Ua lohe makou, ua kauohaia ka wahine ulanamoena pawehe o Niihau, oia o Kalai, e ka moi, eulana i mau moena pawehe i elua mau moename ke kii hoailona o Amerika a pela no hoi koBeritania.

He hö‘ike këia ‘atikala i ka inoa o ka wahine näna i ulana ka moena päwehe kü‘ë kaulana i hä‘awi ‘ia i kaMö‘ï Kaläkaua. Ma hope o ka loa‘a ‘ana mai o ua moena lä i hana ‘ia me ka maiau launa ‘ole, ua noi keAli‘i e ulana ka wahine i ‘elua moena hou no ka Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. ‘A‘ole nö na‘e paha‘o ia i hana no ka ‘ike ‘ole ‘ia ‘ana o ke komo o ka moena o ua ‘ano lä i ka Exposition (Rose 30:93). MaiKa Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a, Mei 2, 1874. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440 (III:296-298), Mo‘okini 36-37.

Nü Hou Küloko


1. Local News

The elderly woman who wove the mat that wasgiven as a gift to King Kaläkaua is perhapsalmost 80 years old and still lives in ‘A‘ala.

A week after the previous article, the following short article mentioning the protest mat appeared.Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a (The Independent Press), May 9, 1874. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440 (III:296-298),Mo‘okini 36-37.

Local News

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1. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “ei” ‘o ia ‘o “eia.”

“Ei” was changed to “eia.”

2. ‘O ‘A‘ala he ‘äpana ‘äina ia ma ke kaona ‘o Honoluluma ke komohana o ka ‘äpana Päkë a ma uka ho‘i o keawa kü moku o Honolulu a me ‘A‘ala Päka.

‘A‘ala is a district of urban Honolulu, just to the westof Chinatown and inland from Honolulu Harbor andthe current ‘A‘ala Park.


1. Nü Hou Küloko

‘O ka luahine näna i ulana i ka moena päwehei makana ‘ia iho nei i ka Mö‘ï Kaläkaua, ua‘ane‘ane 80 paha makahiki, a eia1 a‘e nö kenoho mai nei i ‘A‘ala.2

1. Nu Hou Kuloko.

O ka luahine nana i ulana i ka moena pawehe imakanaia iho nei i ka Moi Kalakaua, ua aneane80 paha makahiki, a ei ae no ke noho mai nei iAala.

Ho‘okahi pule ma hope mai o ia ‘atikala mua iho nei, ua pa‘i ‘ia ka ‘atikala pökole ma lalo iho nei no kamoena kü‘ë. Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a, Mei 9, 1874. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440 (III:296-298), Mo‘okini 36-37.

Nü Hou Küloko


1. A GIFT OF A PATTERNED MAT

Last Monday, Mr. G. S. Gay of Ni‘ihau gave KingKaläkaua a beautiful, patterned mat woven byKala‘i, Ni‘ihau’s most skillful woman in thatparticular art. The mat was carefully woven, asit was intended for the late King, but he is gone,and so the gift is given to the present one. It ismade with great skill for words are woven intothe meshes. It took 11 months to make. Duringthe tenth month, however, the worker’s husbanddied, and she finished the article on which theyhad both labored. It was sold to Mr. G. S. Gay,and that was how he obtained it. Here below arethe words woven into it:

2. “Kamehameha provided for all the chiefs ofthe land thus establishing the ahupua‘a, kalana,‘okana, moku land sections and islands.1 Thatwas what Kamehameha did when he stood at thehead of his government. He placed the chiefsover the lands; all kinds of chiefs settled on theland. The chiefs and the commoners shared thepeace under the one law, ‘Let the aged sleep onthe highway unharmed; let the sugarcane growuntil it falls over; let the banana grow until it falls

In this article, dated May 2, 1874, Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a (The Independent Press) reproduced the petitionwoven into the makaloa mat. This reproduction, however, is not an exact rendering of the petition’soriginal text which contained only capital letters without word spacing or punctuation. The newspaperseparated the words, added punctuation, and made some editorial changes. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440(III:296-298), Mo‘okini 36-37.

A Gift of a Patterned Mat

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1. He pilikana ‘o George S. Gay no ka ‘ohana Sinclair,Gay, a me Robinson i lilo nona ka mokupuni ‘oNi‘ihau i ka makahiki 1864.

George S. Gay is a member of the Sinclair-Gay-Robinson family that has owned the island of Ni‘ihausince 1864.

2. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “ia” ‘o ia ‘o “i ia.”

“Ia” was changed to “i ia.”

3. ‘O “ka Mö‘ï i make,” ‘o ia ho‘i ‘o William Lunalilo.

“Ka Mö‘ï i make” (the late King) refers to WilliamLunalilo.

4. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “iai” ‘o ia ‘o “mai.”

“Iai” was changed to “mai.”

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1. He mau inoa këia o nä ‘ano mähele like ‘ole o kamokupuni: ‘o ka moku, ‘o ia ka mähele nui loa o kamokupuni; ‘o ka ‘okana, he mähele o ka moku; ‘o kekalana, he mähele o ka ‘okana; a ‘o ke ahupua‘a ho‘i,he mähele ‘u‘uku iho i nä mea ‘ë a‘e a pau.

These Hawaiian terms name various land divisionsof the mokupuni (island): moku (district); ‘okana(subdistrict); kalana (section within a subdistrict);and ahupua‘a (the smallest land division of thoselisted here).


1. HE MOENA PÄWEHE MAKANA

Ma ka Po‘akahi aku nei, ua hä‘awi makana ‘iamai e Mr. G. S. Gay1 o Ni‘ihau i ka Mö‘ï Kaläkauahe moena päwehe nani i ulana ‘ia e ko Ni‘ihaukaikamahine ma‘ama‘alea i ia2 hana he ulana,‘o ia ‘o Kala‘i. Ua ulana ‘ia këia moena me keakahele no ka Mö‘ï i make3 ka mana‘o ‘ana, akä,ua hala ‘ë këlä, a no laila, ua ili iho ka ho‘okö ‘anano ka Mö‘ï hou. Ua hana akamai maoli ‘ia nö,‘oiai ua ulana pü ‘ia nä hua‘ölelo ma lalo iho maloko o kona mau maka moena. He 11 nä malamao ka ulana ‘ia ‘ana mai,4 a i ka ‘umi na‘e o kamalama, make käna käne male, a ua ho‘opa‘a loaaku ‘o ia i ko läua luhi. I kü‘ai ‘ia mai iä G. S. Gayi lilo ai. Eia iho nä ‘ölelo i ulana ‘ia ma luna ona:

2. “No ka hänai ‘ana o Kamehameha i nä ali‘i apau i ka ‘äina, a i kü ai ahupua‘a, a i kalana, a i‘okana, a i moku, a i mokupuni, ‘o ia ho‘i käKamehameha ‘oihana i ka wä i lanakila ai ‘oKamehameha ma luna o kona aupuni. Ho‘onohoakula ‘o ia i nä ali‘i a pau ma luna o ka ‘äina; këlä‘ano këia ‘ano o nä ali‘i a pau äna i ho‘onoho maluna o ka ‘äina. Like ho‘i ka malu o nä ali‘i menä maka‘äinana ma lalo o ke känäwai ho‘okahi:‘Hele ka luahine a moe i ke ala; kü ka pü kö a

1. He MOENA PAWEHE MAKANA.

Ma ka Poakahi aku nei, ua haawi makana ia maie Mr. G. S. Gay o Niihau i ka Moi Kalakaua, hemoena pawehe nani i ulanaia e ko Niihaukaikamahine maamaalea ia hana he ulana, oia oKalai. Ua ulanaia keia moena me ke akahele noka Moi i make ka manao ana, aka, ua hala e kela,a nolaila, ua ili iho ka hooko ana no ka Moi hou.Ua hana akamai maoli ia no, oiai, ua ulana pu iana huaolelo malalo iho maloko o kona mau makamoena. He 11 na malama o ka ulana ia ana iai, a ika umi nae o ka malama, make kana kane mare,a ua hoopaa loa aku oia i ko laua luhi. I kuai iamai ia G. S Gay i lilo ai. Eia iho na olelo i ulanaiamaluna ona:

2. “No ka hanai ana o Kamehameha i na’lii a paui ka aina, a i ku ai ahupuaa, ai kalana, ai okana,

ai moku, ai mokupuni, oia hoi ka Kamehamehaoihana i ka wa i lanakila ai o Kamehamehamaluna o kona Aupuni. Hoonoho aku la oia ina’lii a pau maluna o ka aina; kela ano keia anoo na alii a pau ana i hoonoho maluna o ka aina.Like hoi ka malu o na’lii me na makaainanamalalo o ke kanawai hookahi; ‘Hele ka Luahine amoe i ke ala;’ ku ka puko a hina ilalo, ku ka maia

Ma këia ‘atikala i Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a o ka lä 2 o Mei, 1874, ua pa‘i ‘ia ke noi i ulana ‘ia ma ka moenamakaloa. ‘A‘ole na‘e i like a like ia mea i pa‘i ‘ia me ka ‘ölelo i ulana ‘ia ma ka moena he hua ma‘aka walenö i ho‘oka‘awale ‘ole ‘ia nä hua‘ölelo a i komo ‘ole ho‘i ke kaha kiko. Na ka nüpepa i ho‘oka‘awale i nähua‘ölelo, ho‘okomo i nä kaha kiko, a ho‘oponopono ho‘i i kekahi mau ‘ölelo. Chapin 78-80, Forbes 2440(III:296-298), Mo‘okini 36-37.

He Moena Päwehe Makana


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5. ‘O këia ke känäwai ‘o Mämalahoe i kau ‘ia eKamehameha I no ka mälama ‘ana i ka maluhia o kealanui e hele ‘ia e ke kanaka. Ho‘ololi iki ka mea nänaka ‘ölelo ma ka moena i kona ho‘okomo ‘ana i ka ‘ölelomana‘o kaona no ka ‘elemakule a me ka luahine e olame ka maluhia a me ka hana ‘ino ‘ole ‘ia mai a pau a‘e.Ua kapa pinepine pü ‘ia këia känäwai ‘o Mämalahoa.

This is the Mämalahoe law (literally, paddle fragment,commonly called the law of the splintered paddle),formulated by Kamehameha I. It guaranteed safety onthe highways to all. The mat’s author renders the lawin a poetic style which highlights its protection of theelderly who could expect to live unharmed and to dieof natural causes. This law is also often referred toas Mämalahoa.

6. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “Mamaloa” ‘o ia ‘o “Mämalahoa.”

“Mamaloa” was changed to “Mämalahoa.”

7. I ka ulu ‘ana o ka mana aupuni o nä haole, e nui anaka loa‘a o ke aupuni mai nä ‘auhau i kau ‘ia ma lunao nä holoholona a nä maka‘äinana. Ua emi iho kapäkëneka ‘auhau a ka po‘e waiwai, ‘oiai ‘a‘ole i loa‘anä ‘auhau pilikino a pili hui paha. Ua komo ka nui oko ke aupuni loa‘a mai i nä lalohui pono‘ï a pilikanapaha o nä pä‘oihana nui.

The government, dominated for some time byforeigners, received a significant portion of its incomefrom taxes levied on animals owned by the generalcitizenry. These taxes fell heavily upon the masses,whereas the wealthy paid proportionately less becausethere were no personal or corporate income taxes.Much of the government’s income then went to director indirect subsidiaries of large businesses.

8. ‘O “nä haku o ka lewa,” ‘o ia nö paha ka Mö‘ï a me keaupuni Hawai‘i.

“Nä haku o ka lewa” (“masters from the sky”) probablyrefers to the King and the Hawaiian government.

kolamu (column) 3

2. Ua unuhi ‘ia ‘o “kauä kuapa‘a” ma HawaiianDictionary ‘o ia ‘o “hard-backed outcast,” he ‘öleloküamuamu ‘ino no “slaves,” ‘o ia ka unuhina aKawena Pukui ma ‘ane‘i.

“Kauä kuapa‘a” is translated in Hawaiian Dictionaryas “hard-backed outcast,” an epithet for “slaves,” thetranslation used here by Kawena Pukui.

over.’ The King questioned his messengers tofind out what they thought, ‘What are the oldwomen and the old men like? Are they like thesugarcane and banana stalks?’ They told himwhat they were like. That was Kamehameha’sconstitution–his peace. Peace was the symbolof his kingdom; the old women and old men,his constitution. There was no ruthless seizing.It brought peace to the Hawaiian Islands whenit was issued. It was issued because of his lovefor the people. Therefore he laid down hisMämalahoa law that there be no moredestruction of his foes.

3. “Therefore the people became free under theone law called the Mämalahoa, the giver of thegreatest peace in his kingdom, an honor and arevitalizing declaration that have come to usfrom an old kingdom, that of Kamehameha I. Letus rise to discuss the great cause for the decreaseof the Hawaiian people, a large population inthe olden days under Kamehameha, and to askthe King to change the taxes on animals, cattle,horses, asses, mules, and sheep, and let none ofthese taxes remain.

4. “Oh heavenly one, release us from the burdenof the law that keeps us slaves2 under mastersfrom the sky.

5. “By me, Kala‘i”


hina i lalo; kü ka mai‘a a hina i lalo.’5 Nïnau kaMö‘ï ma ka ho‘ohuahualau i nä ‘elele, ‘He aha ke‘ano o ka luahine a me ka ‘elemakule? He pü kö,he pü mai‘a?’ Ha‘i maila nä ‘elele i ke ‘ano o kaluahine a me ka ‘elemakule; ‘o ko Kamehamehakumukänäwai nö ia; ‘o ia nö kona maluhia.No ka mea he hö‘ailona maluhia nö ia o konaaupuni. ‘O ka luahine a me ka ‘elemakule, ‘o ianö nä kumukänäwai. ‘A‘ole e hao ‘ia. Ka maluhianui nö ia o ko Hawai‘i nei pae ‘äina i ka wä i pukamai ai. No loko mai o ke aloha i kona lähui känakai puka mai ai. No laila, kau a‘ela ia i kona känäwaiMämalahoa6 i mea e luku hou ‘ole aku ai i kona‘enemi.

3. “No laila, lanakila a‘ela ka lähui känaka malalo o ke känäwai ho‘okahi i ‘ölelo ‘ia heMämalahoa, ‘o ia nö ka maluhia nui o konaaupuni, a me ka hanohano, ha‘ina ho‘äla no keaupuni kahiko, no Kamehameha ‘Ekahi. E ala a‘ekäkou i nä kumu nui i emi ai ka lähui Hawai‘i, ame ka pi‘i ‘ana o ka lähui nui i ka wä kahiko iäKamehameha no ke noi ‘ana a nä maka‘äinanai ka Mö‘ï e ho‘ololi i ka ‘auhau ma luna o näholoholona, pipi, lio, hoki, miula, hipa.7 ‘A‘olee koe kekahi o ia ‘ano.

4. “E Kalani ë, e ho‘oku‘u a‘e iä mäkou i nä hanakänäwai, i ka noho kauä kuapa‘a ‘ana ma lalo onä haku o ka lewa.8

5. “Na‘u, na Kala‘i”

a hina ilalo;–ninau ka Moi ma ka hoohuahualaui na elele: ‘Heaha ke ano o ka Luahine a me kaElemakule?–He puko, he pu maia? Hai mai lana Elele i ke ano o ka luahine a me ka elemakule,o ko Kamehameha Kumukanawai no ia–oia nokona maluhia. No ka mea he hoailona maluhiano ia o kona aupuni. O ka luahine a me kaelemakule oia no na kumukanawai. Aole e hao ia.Ka maluhia nui no ia o ko Hawaii nei Pae Ainai ka wa i puka mai ai. Noloko mai o ke aloha ikona lahuikanaka i puka mai ai. Nolaila kau ae laia i kona kanawai Mamaloa i mea e luku hou oleaku ai i kona enemi.

3. “Nolaila lanakila ae la ka lahuikanaka malaloo ke kanawai hookahi i olelo ia, he mamalahoa,oia no ka maluhia nui o kona aupuni, a me kahanohano, hai na hoala no ke aupuni kahiko, noKamehameha Ekahi. E ala ae kakou i na kumunui i emi ai ka lahui Hawaii, a me ka pii ana o kalahui nui i ka wa kahiko ia Kamehameha no kenoi ana a na makaainana i ka Moi e hoololi i kaauhau maluna o na holoholona, bipi, lio, hoki,miula, hipa. Aole e koe kekahi o ia ano–

4. “E Kalani e: E hookuu ae ia makou i na hanakanawai, i ka noho kauwa kuapaa ana malalo ona haku o ka lewa.

5. Na’u na Kalai.”


1. A New Type of Gift for the King

Last Monday morning, Mr. George S. Gaypresented as a gift to the King a mat of makaloasedge. Sedge mats are not new to us, yet we stillappreciate the beauty and skill of the work,including the smooth artistry of the weaver.However, this particular sedge mat given to theKing was woven with the following words listedbelow:

2. “Kamehameha provided for all the chiefs ofthe land thus establishing the ahupua‘a, kalana,‘okana, moku land sections and islands.1 Thatwas what Kamehameha did when he stood at thehead of his government. He placed the chiefsover the lands; all kinds of chiefs settled on theland. The chiefs and the commoners shared thepeace under the one law, ‘Let the aged sleep onthe highway unharmed; let the sugarcane growuntil it falls over; let the banana grow until it fallsover.’ The King questioned his messengers tofind out what they thought, ‘What are the oldwomen and the old men like? Are they like thesugarcane and banana stalks?’ They told himwhat they were like. That was Kamehameha’sconstitution–his peace. Peace was the symbol ofhis kingdom; the old women and old men, hisconstitution. There was no ruthless seizing.It brought peace to the Hawaiian Islandswhen it was issued. It was issued because of hislove for the people. Therefore he laid down hisMämalahoa law that there be no more destruc-tion of his foes.

This article appeared in the newspaper Ko Hawai‘i Pono‘ï (Hawai‘i’s Own) on April 29, 1874, and presentsa slightly different reproduction of the mat’s text from that presented in the May 2, 1874, Ka NüpepaKü‘oko‘a (The Independent Press) article. Chapin 59, Forbes 3036 (III:570-571), Mo‘okini 21.

A New Type of Gift for the King

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1. He pilikana ‘o George S. Gay no ka ‘ohana Sinclair,Gay, a me Robinson i lilo nona ka mokupuni ‘oNi‘ihau i ka makahiki 1864.

George S. Gay is a member of the Sinclair-Gay-Robinson family that has owned the island of Ni‘ihausince 1864.

2. ‘O këia ke känäwai ‘o Mämalahoe i kau ‘ia eKamehameha I no ka mälama ‘ana i ka maluhia o kealanui e hele ‘ia e ke kanaka. Ho‘ololi iki ka mea nänaka ‘ölelo ma ka moena i kona ho‘okomo ‘ana i ka‘ölelo mana‘o kaona no ka ‘elemakule a me ka luahinee ola me ka maluhia a me ka hana ‘ino ‘ole ‘ia mai apau a‘e. Ua kapa pinepine pü ‘ia këia känäwai ‘oMämalahoa.

This is the Mämalahoe law (literally, paddle fragment,commonly called the law of the splintered paddle),formulated by Kamehameha I. It guaranteed safety onthe highways to all. The mat’s author renders the lawin a poetic style which highlights its protection of theelderly who could expect to live unharmed and to dieof natural causes. This law is also often referred toas Mämalahoa.

kolamu (column) 3




1. He Makana ‘Ano Hou i ka Mö‘ï

Ma ke kakahiaka Po‘akahi iho nei, ua hä‘awimakana aku ‘o Mr. George S. Gay1 i ka Mö‘ï hemoena makoloa. He mea ‘ano nü hou ‘ole nämoena makoloa iä käkou, koe wale nö nä mahalo‘ana i ka nani a me ka no‘eau o nä ulana ‘ana elike me nä ho‘opäni‘o ‘ana a ka mea ulana, akä,‘o këia moena makoloa i hä‘awi ‘ia aku i ka Mö‘ï,ua ulana pü ‘ia me këia mau hua‘ölelo ma lalo iho:

2. “No ka hänai ‘ana o Kamehameha i nä ali‘i apau i ka ‘äina, a i kü ai ahupua‘a, a i kalana, ai ‘okana, a i moku, a i mokupuni, ‘o ia ho‘i käKamehameha ‘oihana i ka wä i lanakila ai ‘oKamehameha ma luna o kona aupuni. Ho‘onohoakula ‘o ia i nä ali‘i a pau ma luna o ka ‘äina; këlä‘ano këia ‘ano o nä ali‘i a pau äna i ho‘onoho aima luna o ka ‘äina. Like ho‘i ka malu o nä ali‘ia me nä maka‘äinana ma lalo o ke känäwaiho‘okahi: ‘Hele ka luahine a moe i ke ala; kü kapü kö a hina i lalo; kü ka mai‘a a hina i lalo.’2

Nïnau ka Mö‘ï ma ka ho‘ohuahualau i nä‘elele, ‘He aha lä ke ‘ano o ka luahine a me ka‘elemakule? He pü kö, he pü mai‘a?’ Ha‘i maila nä‘elele i ke ‘ano o ka luahine a me ka ‘elemakule;‘o ko Kamehameha kumukänäwai nö ia; ‘o ia nökona maluhia. No ka mea he hö‘ailona maluhianö ia o kona aupuni. ‘O ka luahine a me ka‘elemakule, ‘o ia nö nä hua kumukänäwai. ‘A‘olee hao ‘ia. Ka maluhia nui nö ia o ko Hawai‘i neipae ‘äina i ka wä i puka mai ai. No loko mai o kealoha i kona lähui känaka i puka mai ai. No laila,kau a‘ela ia i kona känäwai Mämalahoa i mea eluku hou ‘ole aku ai i kona ‘enemi.

1. He makana ano hou i ka Moi.

Ma ke kakahiaka Poakahi iho nei, ua haawimakana aku o Mr. Geo. S. Gay i ka Moi, hemoena makoloa. He mea ano nuhou ole namoena makoloa ia kakou, koe wale no na mahaloana i ka nani a me ka noeau o na ulana ana e likeme na hoopanio ana a ka mea ulana; aka, o keiamoena makoloa i haawi ia aku i ka Moi, ua ulanapu ia me keia mau huaolelo malalo iho:

2. “No ka hanai ana o Kamehameha i na ’lii apau i ka aina, a i ku ai ahupuaa, ai kalana, aiokana, ai moku, ai mokupuni, oia hoi kaKamehameha oihana i ka wa i lanakila ai oKamehameha maluna o kona Aupuni. Hoonohoaku la oia i na ’lii a pau maluna o ka aina; kelaano keia ano o na ’lii a pau ana i hoonoho aimaluna o ka aina. Like hoi ka malu o na ’lii a mena makaainana malalo o ke kanawai hookahi;‘Hele ka Luahine a moe i ke ala;’ ku ka puko ahina ilalo, ku ka maia a hina ilalo;–ninau ka Moima ka hoohuahualau i na elele: ‘Heaha la ke anoo ka Luahine a me ka Elemakule?–He pu ko,he pu maia? Hai mai la na Elele i ke ano o kaluahine a me ka elemakule, o ko KamehamehaKumukanawai no ia–oia no kona maluhia. Noka mea he hoailona maluhia no ia o kona aupuni.O ka luahine a me ka elemakule oia no na huakumukanawai. Aole e hao ia. Ka maluhia nui noia o ko Hawaii nei Pae Aina i ka wa i puka maiai. No loko mai o ke aloha i kona lahuikanaka ipuka mai ai. Nolaila kau ae la ia i kona kanawaimamalahoa i mea e luku hou ole aku ai i konaenemi.

No loko mai këia ‘atikala o ka nüpepa Ko Hawai‘i Pono‘ï o ka 29 ‘Apelila 1874. ‘Oko‘a iki ka ‘ölelo o kamoena i pa‘i ‘ia ma ‘ane‘i mai ka mea i pa‘i ‘ia ma Ka Nüpepa Kü‘oko‘a o ka 2 Mei 1874. Chapin 59,Forbes 3036 (III:570-571), Mo‘okini 21.

He Makana ‘Ano Hou i ka Mö‘ï


kolamu (column) 2

3. Kü nä hökü ma kahi o ka ‘ölelo moena i loa‘a ‘ole i kaNüpepa.

The stars indicate missing text from the mat.

4. I ka ulu ‘ana o ka mana aupuni o nä haole, e nui anaka loa‘a o ke aupuni mai nä ‘auhau i kau ‘ia ma luna onä holoholona a nä maka‘äinana. Ua emi iho kapäkëneka ‘auhau a ka po‘e waiwai, ‘oiai ‘a‘ole i loa‘anä ‘auhau pilikino a pili hui paha. Ua komo ka nui oko ke aupuni loa‘a mai i nä lalohui pono‘ï a pilikanapaha o nä pä‘oihana nui.



“Nä haku o ka lewa” (“masters from the sky”)probably refers to the King and the Hawaiiangovernment.

kolamu (column) 3



3. “Therefore the people became free under theone law called the Mämalahoa, the giver of thegreatest peace and honor in his kingdom. * * * *Let us rise to discuss the great cause for thedecrease of the Hawaiian people, a large popula-tion in the olden days under Kamehameha, andto ask the King to change the taxes on animals,cattle, horses, asses, mules, and sheep, and letnone of these taxes remain.

4. “Oh heavenly one, release us from the burdenof the law that keeps us slaves2 under mastersfrom the sky.

5. “By me, Kala‘i”

6. We do not pay much attention to the largeamount of text and its meaning atop the afore-mentioned mat. Instead, the labor and patienceof the weaver of this mat are acknowledged. Ms.Kala‘i from Waimea, Kaua‘i, is the person whoweaved this mat. We were told it took 11 monthsto weave the mat, and that it is 6 feet four incheswide, and more than 9 feet long. The top sectionof the mat is completely covered with the wordspresented above. Mr. Gay purchased this mat asa gift for the King.


3. “No laila, lanakila a‘ela ka lähui känakama lalo o ke känäwai ho‘okahi i ‘ölelo ‘ia heMämalahoa, ‘o ia nö ka maluhia nui o konaaupuni, a me ka hanohano. * * * *3 E ala a‘ekäkou i nä kumu nui i emi ai ka lähui Hawai‘i, ame ka pi‘i ‘ana o ka lähui mua i ka wä kahiko iäKamehameha no ka noi ‘ana a nä maka‘äinanai ka Mö‘ï e ho‘ololi i ka ‘auhau ma luna o näholoholona, pipi, lio, hoki, miula, hipa.4 ‘A‘oleloa e koe kekahi o ia ‘ano.

4. “E Kalani ë, e ho‘oku‘u a‘e iä mäkou i nä hanakänäwai, i ka noho kauä kuapa‘a ‘ana ma lalo onä haku o ka lewa.5

5. “Na‘u, na Kala‘i”

6. ‘O ke ‘ano nui o nä hopuna‘ölelo a me kamana‘o ma luna o ua moena nei, ‘a‘ole ia ‘okä käkou mea nänä nui, akä, ‘o ka luhi a meka ho‘omanawanui hana ‘ana o ka mea nänai ulana i këia moena. ‘O Kala‘i wahine ka meanäna i ulana, no Waimea i Kaua‘i. Ua ha‘i ‘ia maimäkou he 11 malama ka lö‘ihi o ka ulana ‘ia ‘ana,a ‘o ka laulä o ua moena nei ‘eono kapua‘i a me‘ehä ‘ïniha, a he ‘eiwa kapua‘i a keu ka loa, a uapiha loa ‘o luna o ua moena lä me nä hua‘öleloi hö‘ike ‘ia a‘ela ma luna. Ua kü‘ai ‘ia mai këiamoena e Mr. Gay i makana näna, i ka Mö‘ï.

3. “Nolaila lanakila ae la ka lahuikanaka malaloo ke kanawai hookahi i olelo ia, he mamalahoa,o ia no ka maluhia nui o kona aupuni, a me kahanohano. * * * * E ala ae kakou i na kumu nui iemi ai ka lahui Hawaii, a me ka pii ana o ka lahuimua i ka wa kahiko ia Kamehameha no ka noiana a na makaainana i ka Moi e hoololi i kaauhau maluna o na holoholona, bipi, lio, hoki,miula, hipa. Aole loa e koe kekahi o ia ano–

4. “ E Kalani e: E hookuu ae ia makou i na hanakanawai, i ka noho kauwa kuapaa ana malalo ona haku o ka lewa.

5. “Na’u na Kalai.”

6. O ke ano nui o na hopunaolelo a me ka manaomaluna o ua moena nei, aole ia o ka kakou meanana nui, aka, o ka luhi a me ka hoomanawanuihana ana o ka mea nana i ulana i keia moena. OKalai wahine ka mea nana i ulana, no Waimea iKauai. Ua hai ia mai makou he 11 malama kaloihi o ka ulana ia ana, a o ka laula o ua moenanei eono kapuai a me 4 iniha, a he 9 kapuai a keuka loa, a ua piha loa o luna o ua moena la me nahuaolelo i hoike ia ae la maluna. Ua kuai ia maikeia moena e Mr. Gay i makana nana i ka Moi.


1. No ka hänai ‘ana o Kamehameha i nä ali‘ia pau i ka ‘äina, a i kü ai ahupua‘a, i kalana, a i‘okana, a i moku, a i mokupuni,1 ‘o ia ho‘i käKamehameha ‘oihana i ka wä i lanakila ai ‘oKamehameha ma luna o kona aupuni. Ho‘onohoakula ‘o ia i nä ali‘i a pau ma luna o ka ‘äina; këlä‘ano këia ‘ano o nä ali‘i a pau äna i ho‘onohoai ma luna o ka ‘äina. Like ho‘i ka malu o näali‘i a me nä maka‘äinana ma lalo o ke känäwaiho‘okahi: “Hele ka luahine a moe i ke ala; hele ka‘elemakule a moe i ke ala. Kü ka pü kö a hina ilalo; kü ka pü mai‘a a hina i lalo.”2 Nïnau ka Mö‘ï

The mat’s original text is reproduced here in the first column as it appeared, without lower case, spaces,punctuation, or paragraph breaks. In the second column, letters appear in upper and lower case, spacesand punctuation were added, and paragraphs were separated. These changes in the text follow thosepresented in the article “Patterns of Protest” by Roger G. Rose, based on the work of Kawena Pukui. Themat’s text is presented in modern Hawaiian spelling in the third column and in English translation inthe fourth column.

Original Text of the Makaloa Protest Mat

1. Kamehameha provided for all the chiefsof the land thus establishing the ahupua‘a,kalana, ‘okana, moku land sections and islands.1

That was what Kamehameha did when he stoodat the head of his government. He placed thechiefs over the lands; all kinds of chiefs settled onthe land. The chiefs and the commoners sharedthe peace under the one law, “Let the aged sleepon the highway unharmed; let the sugarcanegrow until it falls over; let the banana growuntil it falls over.” The King questioned hismessengers to find out what they thought,

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1. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “mokupun” ‘o ia ‘o “mokupuni.”

“Mokupun” was changed to “mokupuni.”

2. ‘O këia ke känäwai ‘o Mämalahoe i kau ‘ia eKamehameha I no ka mälama ‘ana i ka maluhia o kealanui e hele ‘ia e ke kanaka. Ho‘ololi iki ka mea nänaka ‘ölelo ma ka moena i kona ho‘okomo ‘ana i ka‘ölelo mana‘o kaona no ka ‘elemakule a me ka luahinee ola me ka maluhia a me ka hana ‘ino ‘ole ‘ia mai apau a‘e. Ua kapa pinepine pü ‘ia këia känäwai ‘oMämalahoa.

This is the Mämalahoe law (literally, paddle fragment,commonly called the law of the splintered paddle),formulated by Kamehameha I. It guaranteed safety onthe highways to all. The mat’s author renders the lawin a poetic style which highlights its protection of theelderly who could expect to live unharmed and to dieof natural causes. This law is also often referred to asMämalahoa.

kolamu (column) 4




1. No ka hanai ana o Kamehameha i nalii a pau i ka aina, a i ku ai ahupuaa, i kalana, aiokana, ai moku, ai mokupun, oia hoi kaKamehameha oihana i ka wa i lanakila ai oKamehameha maluna o kona Aupuni. Hoonohoaku la oia i nalii a pau maluna o ka aina; kela anokeia ano o nalii a pau ana i hoonoho ai maluna oka aina. Like hoi ka malu o nalii a me namakaainana malalo o ke kanawai hookahi: “Heleka Luahine a moe i ke ala. Hele ka elemakule amoe i ke ala. Ku ka puko a hina ilalo, ku ka pumaia a hina ilalo.” Ninau ka Moi ma ka

NOKAHANAIANAOKAMEHAMEHAINALIIAPAUIKAAINAAIKUAIAHUPUAAIKALANAAIOKANAAIMOKUAIMOKUPUNOIAHOIKAKAMEHAMEHAOIHANAIKAWAILANAKILAAIOKAMEHAMEHAMALUNAOKONAAUPUNIHOONOHOAKULAOIAINALIIAPAUMALUNAOKAAINAKELAANOKEIAANOONALIIAPAUANAIHOONOHOAIMALUNAOKAAINALIKEHOIKAMALUONALIIAMENAMAKAAINANAMALALOOKEKANAWAIHOOKAHIHELEKALUAHINEAMOEIKEALAHELEKAELEMAKULEAMOEIKEALAKUKAPUKOAHINAILALOKUKAPUMAIAAHINAILALONINA

Pa‘i hou ‘ia ke noi a Kala‘i ma ke kolamu mua e like me ka mea i pa‘a ma luna o käna moena me ka huapalapala na‘ina‘i ‘ole, ke ka‘ahua ‘ole, ke kaha kiko ‘ole, a me ke ka‘awale paukü ‘ole. Ma ke kolamu‘elua, pa‘i ‘ia nä hua palapala ma‘aka me ka na‘ina‘i, ho‘okomo ‘ia nä ka‘ahua me ke kaha kiko, aho‘oka‘awale ‘ia nä paukü. Ua like ia mau loli me ka mea i pa‘i ‘ia ma ka ‘atikala ‘o “Patterns of Protest”na Roger G. Rose i käkau ma muli o ka hana mua a Kawena Pukui. Aia ma ke kolamu ‘ekolu ka ‘ölelomoena i hö‘ano hou ‘ia a, ma ke kolamu ‘ehä, ka unuhina ‘ölelo Pelekänia.

Ka Mole Kumu o ka Moena Makaloa Kü‘ë


kolamu (column) 3

3. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “luahie” ‘o ia ‘o “luahine.”

“Luahie” was changed to “luahine.”

4. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “puwai” ‘o ia ‘o “pu‘uwai.”

“Puwai” was changed to “pu‘uwai.”

5. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “e la” ‘o ia ‘o “a‘ela.”

“E la” was changed to “a‘ela.”

6. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “maluhuia” ‘o ia ‘o “maluhia.”

“Maluhuia” was changed to “maluhia.”

7. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “Kameha” ‘o ia ‘o “Kamehameha.”

“Kameha” was changed to “Kamehameha.”

8. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “lhui” ‘o ia ‘o “lähui.”

“Lhui” was changed to “lähui.”

ma ka ho‘ohuahualau i nä ‘elele, “He aha lä ke‘ano o ka luahine3 a me ka ‘elemakule? Pü kö,pü mai‘a?” Ha‘i maila nä ‘elele i ke ‘ano o kaluahine a me ka ‘elemakule, ‘o ko Kamehamehakumukänäwai nö ia–‘o ia nö kona maluhia. Noka mea ‘o ka hö‘ailona maluhia nö ia o konaaupuni. ‘O ka luahine me ka ‘elemakule, ‘o ia nönä hua kumukänäwai. E hao ‘ia. Ka maluhia nuinö ia o ko Hawai‘i nei pae ‘äina i ka wä i pukamai ai. No loko mai o ka pu‘uwai4 i puka mai ai‘o ke aloha i kona lähui känaka. No laila, kaua‘ela ia i kona känäwai Mämalahoa i mea e lukuhou ‘ole aku ai i kona ‘enemi.

2. No laila, lanakila a‘ela5 ka lähui känakama lalo o ke känäwai ho‘okahi i ‘ölelo ‘iaMämalahoa, ‘o ia nö ka maluhia6 nui o konaaupuni, a me ka hanohano, ha‘ina ho‘äla no keaupuni kahiko, iä Kamehameha7 ‘Ekahi. E alaa‘e käkou e kama‘ilio i nä kumu nui i emi ai kalähui Hawai‘i, a me ka pi‘i ‘ana o ka lähui8 muai ka wä kahiko iä Kamehameha no ke noi a nä

“What are the old women and the old men like?Are they like the sugarcane and banana stalks?”They told him what they were like. That wasKamehameha’s constitution–his peace. Peacewas the symbol of his kingdom; the old womenand old men, his constitution. There was noruthless seizing. It brought peace to the HawaiianIslands when it was issued. It was issued becauseof his love for the people. Therefore he laid downhis Mämalahoa law that there be no more destruc-tion of his foes.

2. Therefore the people became free under theone law called the Mämalahoa, the giver of thegreatest peace in his kingdom, an honor and arevitalizing declaration that have come to usfrom an old kingdom, that of Kamehameha I. Letus rise to discuss the great cause for the decreaseof the Hawaiian people, a large population in theolden days under Kamehameha, and to ask the


hoohuahualau i na elele: “Heaha la ke ano o kaluahie a me ka elemakule? Puko, pu maia?” Haimai la na Elele i ke ano o ka luahine a me kaelemakule, o ko Kamehameha kumukanawaino ia–oia no kona maluhia. No ka mea o kahoailona maluhia no ia o kona aupuni. O kaluahine me ka elemakule oia no na huakumukanawai. E hao ia. Ka maluhia nui no ia oko Hawaii nei Pae Aina i ka wa i puka mai ai.Noloko mai o ka puwai i puka mai ai o ke aloha ikona lahuikanaka. Nolaila kau ae la ia i konakanawai mamalahoa i mea e luku hou ole aku ai ikona enemi.

2. Nolaila lanakila e la ka lahuikanaka malaloo ke kanawai hookahi i olelo ia, mamalahoa, oiano ka maluhuia nui o kona aupuni, a me kahanohano, hai na hoala no ke aupuni kahiko, iaKameha Ekahi. E ala ae kakou e ka mailio i nakumu nui i emi ai ka lahui Hawaii, a me ka piiana o ka lhui mua i ka wa kahiko ia Kamehamehano ke noi ana makaainana i ka Moi e hoololi i ka

UKAMOIMAKAHOOHUAHUALAUINAELELEHEAHALAKEANOOKALUAHIEAMEKAELEMAKULEPUKOPUMAIAHAIMAILANAELELEIKEANOOKALUAHINEAMEKAELEMAKULEOKOKAMEHAMEHAKUMUKANAWAINOIAOIANOKONAMALUHIANOKAMEAOKAHOAILONAMALUHIANOIAOKONAAUPUNIOKALUAHINEMEKAELEMAKULEOIANONAHUAKUMUKANAWAIEHAOIAKAMALUHIANUINOIAOKOHAWAIINEIPAEAINAIKAWAIPUKAMAIAINOLOKOMAIOKAPUWAIIPUKAMAIAIOKEALOHAIKONALAHUIKANAKANOLAILAKAUAELAIAIKONAKANAWAIMAMALAHOAIMEAELUKUHOUOLEAKUAIIKONAENEMINOLAILALANAKILAELAKALAHUIKANAKAMALALOOKEKANAWAIHOOKAHIIOLELOIAMAMALAHOAOIANOKAMALUHUIANUIOKONAAUPUNIAMEKAHANOHANOHAINAHOALANOKEAUPUNIKAHIKOIAKAMEHAEKAHIEALAAEKAKOUEKAMAILIOINAKUMUNUIIEMIAIKALAHUIHAWAIIAMEKAPIIANAOKALHUIMUAIKAWAKAHIKOIAKAMEHAMEHANOKENOIANAMAKAAINANAIKAMOIEHOOLOLII


King to change the taxes on animals, cattle,horses, asses, mules, and sheep, and let noneof these taxes remain in the–

3. Oh heavenly one, release us from the burdenof the law that keeps us slaves2 under mastersfrom the sky.

4. By me, Kala‘i

kolamu (column) 3

9. I ka ulu ‘ana o ka mana aupuni o nä haole, e nui anaka loa‘a o ke aupuni mai nä ‘auhau i kau ‘ia ma luna onä holoholona a nä maka‘äinana. Ua emi iho kapäkëneka ‘auhau a ka po‘e waiwai, ‘oiai ‘a‘ole i loa‘anä ‘auhau pilikino a pili hui paha. Ua komo ka nui oko ke aupuni loa‘a mai i nä lalohui pono‘ï a pilikanapaha o nä pä‘oihana nui.


10. ‘A‘ole paha i piha pono ka mana‘o ma ‘ane‘i.

It appears the thought presented here is incomplete.

11. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “ia mkou ia makou” ‘o ia ‘o “iämäkou.”

“Ia mkou ia makou” was changed to “iä mäkou.”


“Nä haku o ka lewa” (“masters from the sky”)probably refers to the King and the Hawaiiangovernment.

13. Ua ho‘ololi ‘ia ‘o “Kala” ‘o ia ‘o “Kala‘i.”

“Kala” was changed to “Kala‘i.”

maka‘äinana i ka Mö‘ï e ho‘ololi i ka ‘auhau maluna o nä holoholona, pipi, lio, hoki, miula,hipa.9 ‘A‘ole loa e koe kekahi o ia ‘ano i ka–10

3. E Kalani ë, e ho‘oku‘u a‘e iä mäkou11 i nähana känäwai, i ka noho kauä kuapa‘a ‘ana malalo o nä haku o ka lewa.12

4. Na‘u na Kala‘i13

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auhau maluna o na holoholona, pipi, lio, hoki,miula, hipa. Aole loa e koe kekahi o ia ano i ka–

3. E Kalani e: E hookuu ae ia mkou ia makou i nahana kanawai, i ka noho kauwa kuapaa anamalalo o na haku o ka lewa.

4. Nau na Kala

KAAUHAUMALUNAONAHOLOHOLONAPIPILIOHOKIMIULAHIPAAOLELOAEKOEKEKAHIOIAANOIKAEKALANIEEHOOKUUAEIAMKOUIAMAKOUINAHANAKANAWAIIKANOHOKAUWAKUAPAAANAMALALOONAHAKUOKALEWANAUNAKALA

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