The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-10-12
Facts Presented to the Public About
a Historical Crime.
TIE POISONING OF KAMAKUIKI.
Story OF the Conviction and Hanging of
the Grandfather OF Kalakaua and
Liliuokalani - Poison Presented to
His Wife by Professional.


there was an animated discussion
regarding the execution of chief
Kamanawa in 1910 for the murder
of his wife. The difference Of
opinion regarding this event has
caused the ADVERTISER to probe
the records of the past and the
minds Of those who remember the
incident, with the view of stating
the facts regarding this historical
incident.
Kamanawa was the grandfather
of Kalakaua and Liliuokalani, and
his execution marked a step for
ward in the history Of these islands,
it being the first time that chief
of his rank had been convicted of
a crime that fourished during the
first part Of the century.
The story is told in the Polyne-
sian of that year, and in this article
these records are supplemented
with the "reminiscences of one who
lived here at the time :
IFrom the Polue8ian, oct. 3, 1910. ]
On Wednesday morning a court
was held at the Fort, for the trial of
Kamanawa and Lono, captain of the
schooner Hooikaika, for the murder
of Kamahuiki, wife of the former.
Governor KekuanaOa was the pre-
siding Judge, the King and high
chiefs being present. The accused
were allowed to challenge the jury,
which consisted of twelve of the most
intelligent Hawaiians, all of high
rank. They were also allowed TO
select counsel. The court being or
ganized, the trial commenced, when
the following facts were developed:
The aforementioned person, it APP
pears, had been divorced from his
wife for some time past, but could not
marry again while she was living:
Having conceived a violent passion
for another woman, he determined to
rid himself of his wife, and applied to
Lono, who was said to be skilled in
preparing poisoHs. LonO also wishing
to destroy his wife, the two agreed to
poison both, commencing with Kama
kuihi. On Sunday evening last, she
with several others, at the house Of
her son-in-law, Pikoi. The criminal
prepared two portions of ava, into one
of which a violent poison was put,
made from four species Of plants,
which grow in the mountains. After
the remainder of the company had
drank the imprisoned ava, she called
for her share, and her husband handed
her that into which he had secretly
poured the poison. After taking two
mouthfuls, she Immediately called for
water, and inquired of the rest if
"theirs was bitter?"
They told her "no."
"Then," says she, my husband
has dark designs against me, l shall
die, he has poisoned me-"
She survived but three hours, med
ical assistance being of no avail.
As soon as she was dead, which was
about midnight, the news Immediately
spread and terrible wailing common
ced, which was quickly born to the
other side of the island. 1t was so
loud, so prolonged and so sudden as to
awake at once almost all the residents,
and at that hour, as its sepulchral ca
dences rose and fell, and were lost in
the distance, the effect was startling
and mournful in the extreme.
Kamanawa and his accomplice were
Immediately apprehended, and they
confessed their crime. LonO also con-
fessed previous murder, that of the
former commander of the Hooikaika,
whom he poisoned in similar man.
ner a few years since, at Hawaii. Be
sides their own confessions, the testi-
mOny of the witnesses was full and
ample. The jury brought in their
verdict against the two as "guilty of
wilful murder" and they will soon
undergo the full penalty of the law.
Such Deeds are said to have been
quite common in the days of heathen-
ism, but since the introduction of
christianity, this is, we believe, the
first case of conviction. Kamanawa is
of very high rank by blood, and his
trial and condemnation by his peers
shows In them a commendable deter
mination to assert the supremacy of
their laws, however high the rank of
the offender. The trial throughout
was conducted in very respectable
and dignified manner, and made ia
vorable impression upon the minds of
strangers present. We We're much
gratified with the conduct of the gov
ernor, his charges to the jury, and the
clear and succinct manner with which
he conducted the examination of the
prisoners.
[ From the Polynesidn, oct. 10, 1910
CTRANSLATIoN.)
Sentence Of the chiefs sent in writ
ing to kamanawa and LOnopuakau,
published for the Information of all
people.
To KanldadlCd and LOnOpudkdu:
In accordance with the sentence of
death passed upon you on the 30th of
September, we hereby notify you that
the day of your execution will be the
10Th day of the present month at II
o'clock A. NJ.
Happy indeed will you be, should
you improve the present few days by
repentance that your heinous sins
may be forgiven through Jesus Christ.
KAMEHAMEHA Ill,
KEKAULUoHI.
Honolulu, Oahu, Oct. 5, $40.
From the Polynesidn, oct. "a, 1s40.l
The murderers, Kamanawa and
Lonopuakau, expiated their crime on
fha 600 ffold on Tuasdar laSf of tho