2003-05-27 TBLASMAN (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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M. ROY:Why would you have the belief that IÒIÓs writings hold the meaning it does for you? D. ROY:Well, his description of that area was such. If youÓre v with the location, you could not miss the location of PuÒu. He describes it in his book, IÓd like to read it from the book. Where was it. I forgot the page. M. ROY:ThatÓs okay. I think you have written, it has been delineated in my fatherÓs writings on Kaluaokalani. The exact words, I believe, he has them in quotes from IÒI. Can you speak about the background of John IÒI and wh in his writing. D. ROY:Of all writers, all Native Hawaiian writers, I respect John IÒI for the reason that from complete illiteracy at the point of his service when he was ten, he was then given as a kahu to the son of Kamehameha, Liholiho. He was the kahu of Liholiho from then on until he died in 1825. Now, from that poi serve his brother, who was Kauhikeauole and performed many duties, services for him in the reign of Kamehameha IÒII, Kauhikeauole. Now, he was also ve Great Mahele that was developed; and he later in 1846 became, and in 1822, excuse me, in 1852, he became the Land Commissioner and remained so to 1860 he was chosen from complete illiteracy, he was chosen to become the Supreme Court Justice; and that is what he remained for two, he served for two terms before his death. And so with that innate intelligence and clarity of thinking and so forth, I render him as one of our most reliable writers that we have in Hawaii; and his rendering of the traditions of the Hawaiian people was most accurate in all respects, even today. M. ROY:Thank you. For the record, it is, you have written, ÐIt was there, in PuÒu, that Kamehameha lived and roamed for a long time with his location of PuÒu is described thusly: The surf of Kamoa at Keolonhihi, and PuÒu runs toward the north side of PuÒu, directly beyond the spring there.Ñ You say, I quote, ÐThis, to me locates PuÒu better than a map.Ñ My father has similarly spoken with regard to another matter. And may I ask you that with regard to testimony recently in court regarding AhuÒena Heiau, did you similarly base your statements on the writings of IÒI with regard to the area of Kamakahonu? D. ROY:Yes, I regard John IÒIÓs description as most important, especially as it pertains to the kÒele of Kamehameha the Great, which it existed on the higher level of the Kona lands; and he describes the people of Kona having been in famine at that time and that John IÒI participated in the bringing back of the economy to satisfactory levels in his time. Kamehameha, in one yearÓs time, was able to restore h stability and took up his residence in Kamakahonu. M. ROY:Thank you. 29