Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 6, 1 June 1998 — Kānāwai Māmala Hoe "Law of the Splintered Paddle" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kānāwai Māmala Hoe "Law of the Splintered Paddle"

In a battle at Kea'au in Puna, Kamehameha plans to attack two fishermen when his foot gets stuck in a rock crevice. He is rendered defenseless. Then, he is struck by a fisherman with a paddle, whieh splinters to pieces. This incident leaves a lasting impression in the mind of Kamehameha, who, as a result, declares the Kānāwai Māmala Hoe, the "Law of the Splintered Paddle." This new law protects the innocent and helpless from random, unnecessary attacks. " 'O ka malu. 'A'ole pepehi kanaka; 'a'ole 'aihue; 'a'ole kā'ili; 'a'ole hao; 'a'ole pōwā, e malu loa. E hele ka luahine a moe ma ke ala; e hele ka 'elemakule a mee ma ke ■ ala." v / V | (Be peaeepil. Dp not murder, do naf steal; do not lake by fotce; d<inot plunderj and let īhere be jpeace afways. > fet the old women .■> sfeep byjhe roadside; lef the pfd men/leep by the roadsidg.) , y