September 24, 1897: David Kalauokalani – Part 2

In Punawaiola’s previous blog entry, we discussed Kalauokalani’s long-time service as the leader of the Home Rule party. But prior to this, he served as a district magistrate for Molokaʻi. According to the Biennial Report of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court covering the years from 1892 to 1893, Kalauokalani’s term as district magistrate for Molokaʻi was set to expire on June 2, 1894.  After the illegal overthrow in 1893, however, a law was immediately passed requiring all persons holding office or working for the government to swear an oath of allegiance:

Available in Early Laws and Statutes, Act 2 Laws of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands (1893).

Whether Kalauokalani affirmatively took this oath requires further research–however, below is an undated petition from Kalaupapa and Kalawao residents requesting to retain Kalauokalani as their district judge. This petition describes Kalauokalani as an impartial, fair, just, intelligent, and knowledgeable jurist. The petition was signed by 48 residents and addressed to F.M. Hatch, J.A. King, S.M. Damon, and W.O. Smith.

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Available in Foreign Office and Executive Numbered Documents 13-25.

This remarkable petition, buried in the Numbered Files of the Foreign Office and Executive collection, was found in close proximity (i.e., the next folder) to a report that had been issued to the Chairman of the Executive and Advisory Councils of the Republic of Hawaiʻi. This report provides insight into the examination that was conducted to ascertain the loyalty of government employees. In the next blog entry, we take a closer look at this document, and how it bears striking similarity to current statements made by American President Donald Trump.