eVols at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Connelly, Sean

ʻUkoʻa Loko Ea Fishpond: Digital Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Oʻahu and American Infrastructure Projects Since 1898

London Missionary Society

Congregational Christian Church of Samoa

Samoan

O le sulu Samoa, Tesema 2022

Kahele, Kaialiʻi

1 Minute floor speech on the Women’s Health Protection Act

Video message to Illumination Hawaiʻi's summit on energy and climate

U.S. Congressman Kahele announces nominees to nation’s service academies

House democrats introduce legislation to make free at-home testing available for all Americans

University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library
eVols Repository https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu
Public relations Speeches
Kamehameha Day remarks, draft 2
Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele Papers
Public relations, Speeches and Statements
https://hdl.handle.net/10524/84355
Items in eVols are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
UHM Library Digital Collections Disclaimer and Copyright Information
Kamehameha Day Remarks Draft 2  
 
Aloha Kākou! Today is a very special day, when we honor King Kamehameha the 
Great, who unified the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810.  
 
As celebrations take place across the Hawaiian Islands, here in Washington D.C. 
our congressional delegation joins the Hawaiʻi State Society to commemorate one 
of the greatest leaders of all time. King Kamehameha is remembered today as a 
leader who embodied a clear vision, courage, and steadfast leadership in serving 
the people.  
 
Kamehameha was a valiant military leader. He persevered to achieve his goals and 
refused to surrender in the face of adversity. Although he endured many setbacks 
in his quest to unify the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, through sheer determination and 
tenacity, he accomplished what no other aliʻi before him had been able to do. 
 
Kamehameha was forward thinking. In fact, ancient Hawaiian wisdom takes into 
consideration the consequences of any decision on future generations. Thanks to 
Kamehameha’s foresight, he enforced the kapu system to protect Hawaii’s natural 
resources so that our ‘aina would sustain generations to come. I work to ensure that 
every decision I make centers around the care and protection of my constituents, 
whether through securing funding for community projects for our most 
underserved communities or taking a stand for the return of Makua to the Hawaiian 
people.  
 
Kamehameha was accountable. He accepted responsibility for his mistakes and 
worked tirelessly to protect and care for the maka’ainana. In 1797, Kamehameha 
declared Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe, The Law of the Splintered Paddle. The intent of 
this law was to protect the youth, women and elderly from unprovoked attacks, 
even from aliʻi. Kamehameha recognized the potential for abuse of power. This 
realization served as the impetus for the Law of the Splintered Paddle, a law 
embedded in our history that sets a standard for our present. Kamehameha’s focus 
on those vulnerable in our community is something that resonates with me which is 
reflected in every policy action I take to protect Hawaiʻi.  
 
Here at the Capitol stands a piece of Hawaiian history, a statue of King 
Kamehameha acknowledging him as a fierce warrior and strong leader. This statue 
marks the power and reach of Kamehameha with his extended right arm that 
portrays a message that served as the driving force behind his decisions: “Endless 
is the good that I have given you to enjoy.” This focus on serving his constituents 
with dedication and diligence is one that I pledge to. Today let us celebrate the 
great leader King Kamehameha and acknowledge his passion and commitment to 
protecting Hawaiʻi and its people. Mahalo!  
### 
 
Draft 1 
Aloha Kakou! Today is a very special day, when we honor King Kamehameha the Great, who 
unified the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810.  
 
Today our congressional delegation in Washington D.C. joins the Hawai’i State Society to 
commemorate one of the greatest leaders of all time.  King Kamehameha stands today as a leader 
who embodied a clear vision, courage, and steadfastness in serving his people.   
 
Kamehameha was a valiant leader.  He persevered to achieve his goals and refused to surrender 
in the face of adversity.  Although he faced many setbacks in his quest to unify the Kingdom of 
Hawai’i, through sheer determination and tenacity, he accomplished what no other ali’i before 
him had been able to do. 
 
Kamehameha was forward thinking.  In fact, ancient Hawaiian wisdom takes into consideration 
the consequences of any decision seven generations into the future.  Thanks to Kamehameha’s 
foresight, he enforced the kapu system to protect Hawaii’s natural resources so that our ‘aina 
would sustain future generations to come. 
 
Kamehameha was not self-serving.  He worked tirelessly to protect and to care for the 
maka’ainana.  In 1797, Kamehameha declared Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe, The Law of the 
Splintered Paddle. The intent of this law was to protect the youth, women and elderly– those who 
were deemed innocent and defenseless–so that they would be safe from unprovoked attacks, 
even from ali’i.  
 
And, perhaps most importantly, Kamehameha accepted responsibility for his mistakes and took 
action to course correct.  On one occasion, Kamehameha attacked two innocent fisherman who 
could have killed him but chose to spare his life instead.  Kamehameha admitted that he would 
not have done the same.  In hindsight, Kamehameha recognized his abuse of power.  This 
realization served as the impetus for the Law of the Splintered Paddle.    
 
The well known statue of Kamehameha with his extended right arm portrays a message that 
served as the driving force behind his decisions: “Endless is the good that I have given you to 
enjoy.”  This focus on serving his constituents with dedication and diligence is one that I pledge 
to. Today let us celebrate the great leader King Kamehameha and acknowledge his passion and 
commitment to protecting Hawai’i and its people. Mahalo!  
 
 
 


English

Kamehameha Day remarks, draft 2

Kahele: the Inflation Reduction Act delivers historic climate action and lowers costs for Hawaiʻi families

University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly faculty forum

Kahele secures over $6.6 million in local projects

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Not a member yet