Novemaba 26: “He Olelo no na Mea Dala ole”

November 26, 1838: Proclamation Regarding the Impecunious

Below is a proclamation issued by Kauikeaouli on November 26, 1838 providing direction for Native Hawaiians who lacked money. The tasks assigned to men, women, girls and boys are different. For example, men are directed to cut stone, make lime, cut wood, and labor in the cane field.  In contrast, women are directed to braid mats and hats, sew hats and kapa. Girls were expected to work with women, and boys with men.  Below is a transcription of the proclamation.

Honolulu, Nov. 26, 1838.

he olelo no na mea dala ole

Ina i nele ke kanaka i ke dala maoli i keia makahiki, elua dala a ke kanaka hookahi e hanaʻi ma ka hana, eia na mea e hana ai ka poe dala ole. O ka pohaku kalai. O ka puna. O ka wahie. O ka mala ko. O ka hana no i manaoia e loaa mai ana ke dala mahope aku. E like nae ka hana a ka mea hookahi, me ke ano o na dala elua.

O na wahine i nele, ua dala okoa. O na kamalii wahine i nele, ua hapalua. Eia ka lakou mau hana. O ka ulana moena, ie papale, humu papale, a me ke kapa, pau paha, a haawi mai.

Ma ke ana hoi o ke dala okoa a me ka hapalua ka hana anaʻku. Pela no hoi i na kamalii kane i hapalua. Ma ka hana a na kane paha lakou.

KAMEHAMEHA III.