An Act to Organize the Military Forces of the Kingdom
On October 1, 1886, King Kalākaua and the Legislative Assembly passed a law entitled, “An Act to Organize the Military Forces of the Kingdom.” This Act established a “Department of War and of the Navy,” otherwise known as the “Military and Navy Department.” Section 1. It set forth the creation of a military and naval force “not to exceed two hundred and fifty men.” Section 4. The law also provided for a chief of staff, who held the rank and title of Lieutenant General. Section 2. The Lieutenant General was “appointed and commissioned by His Majesty the King, to hold office during his Majesty’s pleasure.” Id. This officer, known as the “Commander-in-Chief” of all the armed forces of Kingdom, was “under the supreme command of His Majesty as Generalissimo.” Id.
Below is an excerpt from the Hawaiian language version of the Act with an accompanying transcription.
Available in Session Laws, Kanawai o ka Moi, 1886.
MOKUNA XXII.
HE KANAWAI
E KUKULU A E HOOPONOPONO AI I KA OIHANA KOA O KE AUPUNI.
NO KA MEA, i kumu e lawa pono loa ai na hooponopono ana i na manawa i manaoia e hoomakaukau me na pono kaua, a e malama a me ka hoomakaukau i kekahi mau Puali Koa kupono no ka malama ana i ka maluhia kuloko a me ka noho ana maikai o ke Aupuni a oiai no hoi mamuli o ka Pauku 26 o ke Kumukanawai, Nolaila
E Hooholo ia e ka Moi, a me ka Hale Ahaolelo o ko Hawaii Pae Aina i akoakoa iloko o ka Ahaolelo Kau Kanawai o ke Aupuni.
Pauku 1. E kukuluia i Oihana Kaua Aina a me Kaua . . . .
Available in Session Laws, Kanawai o ka Moi, 1886.
Moana, a e kapaia ka Oihana Kaua Aina a me Moana. O ke Kuhina o ko na Aina e, oia ke Kakauolelo o ka Oihana Kaua Aina a me Moana, a e malama oia i hoike no na dala a pau i hooliloia e ka Oihana Kaua Aina a me Moana, a e ae aku a apono aku i na kikoo a pau i ka Waihona Waiwai no ia oihana.
Pauku 2. E hoonohoia i Papa Aliikoa Luna Nui no ka oihana, a e hoonohoia ke poo oia Papa ma ke kulana a me ka inoa o Lutenela Generala, i hookohuia a i komisina ia e ke ʻLii ka Moi e noho ma ka oihana iloko o ko ka Moi oluolu. O keia Aliikoa oia no ke Aliikoa Nui o na puali koa a pau o ke Aupuni malalo aku o ka mana kiekie o ka Moi ma kona ano Alihikaua Nui.