September 13, 1824: Letter from Hoapili to Liholiho

Below is a fascinating account of a battle that occurred on Kauaʻi in August of 1824. Governor Hoapili of Maui, who had been a counselor of Kamehameha, was sent to Kauaʻi to organize an attack against Prince George P. Kaumualiʻi’s rebel forces.  As described in the letter, a large number of people were killed in the battle. In James Jarves’s account, History of the Hawaiian Islands, he estimated that about 130 people were killed. (Available on Punawaiola here) see pg. 246).

An attempt at transcribing a portion of Hoapili’s letter may be found below. The letter, like many from this period, are difficult to read (due to obscured/blurred text, age of document etc.) , and as such, are difficult to translate.

Available in Chronological File, 1790 – 1849 1824 Aug – Sept 24.

September 13, Monday

Manowai, Waimea

Aloha oe e Kalaninuitua Riholiho, keuwe atu nei makou ia oe, a me ou ka nei apau loa, a me ko kai kaina a me ko kaitua hine, a me ko kanaka, a me ko makaainana a pau loa, i kealoha ia oe.

Eia kau olelo ia oe, ke hai atu nei au ia oe, […] make iho nei ko tahu,

Available in Chronological File, 1790 – 1849 1824 Aug – Sept 24.

o Kaumualii tauoha e na Paalua, ame ko aina, hoi hoi atu nei Paalua ia Kahalaia, enoho i Kauwai, nana maruna tapapu o ka malama wa leikoko, kana, i kapapu, ina lii nui o Kauwai, ka aina okau tahiko ana no, holo atu nei Paalua e hoopapu i ka aina ia Kapatuta e, ka holo ana ku Ahaolelo iho la no, i keao po ihono, kimopo ia iho lakou . . . .