July 31, 1843: “An Act of Grace”

As part of the diplomacy leading up to the restoration of sovereignty in Hawaiʻi in 1843, a number of important historic legal documents needed to be carefully crafted, edited, and translated. These documents included, for example, the Declaration of Rear Admiral Thomas, the Articles agreed in conference between Kauikeaouli and Rear Admiral Thomas, and “He Olelo Lokomaikai” which was issued by Kauikeaouli and Kekāuluohi. Below is a copy of the first few paragraphs from a draft of “He Olelo Lokomaikai.”

Available in Chronological File, 1790 – 1849 1843 Jul 31 (2 of 2).

He olelo Lokomaikai

Na ka Moi Kamehameha III., a me kona mau Alii, ma ko lakou ahaolelo ana i kona mau kanaka.

No ka mea, ua pii mai kekahi mau hihia a me na mea i manaoia he kue iwaena o makou a me ke aupuni o Beritania Nui, no ka mea mahope mai o ka Haawi ana o ko makou aina ia Beritania Nui me ka manao e hoihoiia mai no, a hiki mai i ka wa i lawe hou ai makou i ko makou Alii ana, ua lawelawe kekahi poe kanaka o ko makou aupuni i ka oihana, a ua hana i ka hana o kela ano aole i olelo makou e hana pela, aole hoi i olelo aku ko makou poe Luna ia lakou e hana pela.