Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Kamehameha lll --- (Part 6)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
As told by the ancients--
Kamehameha lll --- Part 6
by Darlene E. Kelley
December 6, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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As told by the ancients-- 
Kamehameha lll -- part 6.

During the intervening years, it is true, many of the most important
offices of the government were filled by foreign men, who, however, in
order to fill these offices, were oblidged to become naturalized
citizens of Hawaii. For a time there was considerable protest made
against the employment of so many foreigners, especially by the
Hawaiians residing on othr Islands than Oahu. The King decided to make a
tour of the various Islands so that he might speak personally to the
people rearding this matter. John Young, Jr., who had been a close
friend and companion of the King since their boyhood, went with him.

On this trip both the King and Mr. Young explained the necessity for
employing foreigners in these offices of the government.
The King said he hoped the time would come when the young chiefs would
acqiure sufficient education to enable them to assist in governmental
matters. On the Island of Maui, the King made a special plea to the
people for their trust and cooperation, urging them to support their
school and cultivate the soil. As he was seeking the good of the county,
He stated 
" The work is not yet done. Your hereditary chiefs have been in trouble
and therefore I have chosen some to aid you. they are ministers of the
white skin whom you see here. This is according to the old system. They
know more than we, and I have chosen them for the sake of knowlwedge."
 
There was a more settled feeling among the people following the King's
addresses on other islands, and the King contined to push forward the
educational program everywhere. The missionaries had a strong foundation
in the field of education, and this Kamehameha lll both acknowledged and
supported. In 1848, Rev. Richard Armstrong accepted the appointment of
Minister of Public Instruction, which position he held as long as he
lived.

For a period of ten days in 1849 Honolulu was again occupied by a
foreign power--- this tme, France. This act marked the culmination of
the friction which existed between the government and self-important
French consul Dillon, who had taken it upon himself to make a series of
demands upon the government. These included (1) that Catholic schools be
subject to the direction of the French mission, (2) that the tarrif on
brandy and liquor be lowered, (3) that the law prohibiting liquor to be
imported free of duty up to $ 200 be repealed. since most French vessels
had nothing else to import but liquor, and (4) that the French language
be used in all business intercourse. The demands were forwarded to the
governor by Admiral Legoarant De Tromelin, who had come to Dillon's aid
aboard a French frigate. When the government rejected the ultimatum, De
Tromelin landed an armed force which took possession of the fort,
government bulidings, and all vessels flying the Hawaiian Flag. After
approximately ten days of occupation and negotiation, De Tromelin
finally withdrew his forces and sailed away with the understanding that
the King would send an agent to France to settle the dfficulties. It
should be pointed out that Diion later received a severe reprimand for
his actions from the French government, which also disavowed De
Tromelin's part in the affair.

After 1844, all sessions were held in Honolulu, and the laws became more
elaborate and precise in their phraseology. A significant action by the
legislature at the creation of a land commission revoluntionized the
land holding system. The commission decided that vested interests in the
land belonged to the government [ the king ], the landlord, and the
tenant. While the legislature defined the rights of these groups and
provided procedures by which might acquire land, no solution for
dividing the land between the king and landlords was reached for nearly
two years. Finally in December of 1847, a plan was adopted which cleared
the way. Shortly after the final division was made to the last chief,
the King divided his lands.

Although the common people had not been forgotten, no specific fraction
of the lands had been set aside for them in the general settlement.
While businessmen, missionaries, heirs of deceased froeigners, and the
humblest of men came forward to present their claims to the land
commision, few native Hawaiians made any claims. So the missionaries and
some foreigners started a movement to improve the condition of the
natives by giving them land in fee simple and then freeing them from the
labor tax.

By 1850, all native tenants were granted fee-simple titles to the lands
occupied and cultivated by them, except for houselots in Honolulu, Hilo,
and Lehaima. The only condition attached to the titles was that the
tenant had to present a claim to the land commission. Additional
government lands were sold at $0.50 and acre to natives who had not
received sufficient lands. The government land were sold thus wiped away
the old feudal land system. A great buying and selling frenzy followed
in years to come. Yet while many foreigners bought land, many natives
sold their lands. They didn't fully understand the sudden liberty thrust
upon them. But they did understand the freedom to sell their land, and
sell they did! During the ensuing fifty years, foreigners would own four
times the amount of land held by the natives and cheifs combined.

A few days after De Tromelin's departure, Dr Judd sailed for France,
accompanied by the two young Princes; Alexander Liholiho and his elder
brother, Prince Lot. Young Alexander was the heir apparent to the
throne, and the trip abroad appeared to be important, not only to the
mission but to broaden the education of the two young men as well. They
would represent Hawaii.

As the years slipped along, the matter of treaties between Hawaii and
othe countries became so complcated that the possiblity of annexation
with the United States was the question of the hour. It was an economic
problem based upon the sugar and whaling industries, whih were
controlled largely by the Americans. These men agitated for annexation
because it would provide Hawaii with a sugar market free of tarriff
duties and an important American supply center for whaling vessels. In
1853 a group of radical Americans had threatened " revolution and a
republic" unless the King consented to annexation with the United
States. The King's foreign policy, however, remained unchanged. While
cultivating the most friendly relations with all nations,he recognized
in none the right to interfere in the internal affairs of his kingdom,
nor to exercise any jurisdiction whatever within his domain. He pushed
for reciprocity treaties with other countries in order to guarentee the
indpendence of the Kingdom. There were already established consulates
from other countries, but he had to establish new counsuls for London,
Chili, New Zealand, New South Wales, Hamburg, China, Hong Kong, Boston,
United States, Baltimore, Bremen, Java, and East Indies. These were
established between 1845-1851. 

The annexation movement in Honolulu was interrupted by a small pox
epidemic which broke out in May of 1853. But by the beginning of 1854,
the United States and Hawaii continued the talks. The King had reached
the final decision tha anexation with the United States might settle
difficulties which were mounting beyond his control. For several months
the King had not been well. His friends and the officials were alarmed.
They felt he had over-taxed his strength, and were not surprised when,
on the 15th day of December, 1854, an acute illness developed so rapidly
that the King died at the age of 41. 

The will of Kamehameha lll proclaimed his adopted son and heir,
Alexander Liholiho, to be King with the title Kamehameha lV. And to him
and the people he left the heritage of a liberal constitution and the
gift of the right to hold land in fee simple.

With his death died any hopes for annexation. Although the new young
King had a brilliant mind, and was ambitious,was concerned for his
countries independence, he had been exposed
to color prejudice in the United States, which made Prince Alexander
anti-American and he used numerous delaying tactics to stall
negotiations. One of his first acts was to teminate the annexation
negotiations.