King's Landing, also known as Pāpa‘i, is a narrow crescent of black and green sand fronting a coconut grove and the ruins of the former fishing village of Pāpa‘i. It was here in 1793 that King Kamehameha the Great led a small raiding party in an attack on the village.[1] While chasing two fishermen (presumably with the intention to kill them), his leg was caught in the reef, and one of the fisherman, Kaleleiki, hit him mightily on the head with a paddle in defense, which broke into pieces. Kamehameha was able to escape, and years later, the same fisherman was brought before the King. Instead of ordering for him to be killed, Kamehameha ruled that the fisherman had only been protecting his land and family, and so Kānāwai Māmalahoe, or Law of the Splintered Paddle, was declared.[2]
Kānāwai Māmalahoe:
E nā kānaka,
E mālama ‘oukou i ke akua
A e mālama ho‘i ke kanaka nui
a me kanaka iki;
E hele ka ‘elemakule,
ka luahine, a me ke kama
A moe i ke ala
‘A‘ohe mea nāna e ho‘opilikia.
Hewa nō, make.
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Law of the Splintered Paddle:
"Oh my people,
Honor thy gods;
Respect alike (the rights of)
men great and humble;
See to it that our aged,
our women, and our children
Lie down to sleep by the roadside
Without fear of harm.
Disobey, and die."
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In the time of Kamehameha the Great, few leaders anywhere in the world paid that much attention to the safety of their people. That is one reason why this law is considered the most important royal edict of his reign. The Law of the Splintered Paddle was also included in the 1978 State Constitution to show Hawai‘i's concern for the safety and welfare of all its people - especially its youngest and oldest citizens.
Even in a democracy like Hawai‘i has today, citizens must always be alert to the abuses of power. Voting does not guarantee good leaders. Sooner than you think, young people like yourselves will be Hawai‘i's leaders and you will need to use your skills and intellect to make our islands a better place to live.
Just remember the lesson of the Splintered Paddle: good leaders listen and learn from their maka‘āinana; good leaders protect the innocent; good leaders make laws that safeguard the right of the people to work and play in peace and harmony.[3]
References
1. Hawai‘i Place Names Shores, Beaches, and Surf Sites; John R. K. Clark (2002) University of Hawai‘i Press
2. Kānāwai Māmalahoe wikipedia.com
3. The Law of the Splintered Paddle: Kānāwai Māmalahoe hawaii.edu
Congratulations to wholagal for FTF on August 9, 2013 and congratulations to cron for STF on August 16, 2013!