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Know ye and reverence your God. Have an understanding heart that you may regard the small as you would the big man . . . Love one another, lest your affections wither away and die . . . Let the old man and the woman and the little child, traveling, sleep unmolested on the King’s Highway. Let none disturb them or harm them as they walk or sleep. The penalty is death.
This proclamation of King Kamehameha’s made in 1797, known as the Law of the Splintered Paddle, and still observed in Hawaii today, originated because of the king’s own injustice!
King Kamehameha I had been traveling in an outrigger-canoe along the Kona Coast of Big Hawaii, when he sighted at Keaau two fishermen of the village of his old enemy chief. When Kamehameha saw that they were carrying a huge load of fish he had his paddlers land him on the beach, and took off in swift pursuit of the poaching fishermen, intending to confiscate their catches. Therefore, his attack upon them was larcenous rather than one of attrition.
He caught one of the fishermen and tried to wrench away his fish. The King was a stalwart man, but he could hot subdue the fisherman. In the fierce struggle, Kamehameha’s foot slipped into a lava crevice and became securely wedged, trapping him. The other fisherman, seeing that Kamehameha was helpless, turned back, raised his paddle and brought it down heavily upon his head, the impact splintering the blade. The fisherman did not attempt another blow, but fled after his companion. Kamehameha’s canoemen came to his aid, released his foot and attended to his severe head injury.
Kamehameha ordered special investigators to find the two poaching fishermen. They were found, bound hand-and-foot, and thrown on the ground at the kings feet.
Kamehameha fixed a stern gaze on the terrified fisherman who had struck him. “Why did you hit me only once?” he demanded. “I was helpless. You could have shattered my skull with another blow, had you so desired.”
“One blow satisfied me,” replied the fisherman with simple honesty. “I am not a violent man, and I do not like to harm anyone who is not capable of defending himself.”
Kamehameha stared at the prone fisherman for a long time; then his customarily serious mien was transformed into a slow smile. He spoke gently. “Fishermen, I was wrong in attacking one of you, just to steal your fish. My priests have always told me that brutality and thievery are evil and should be punished by death. I now will make a law to protect the weak from the strong. And, hereafter, anyone who violates it will suffer death.”
The two fishermen were freed and, after receiving many gifts from Kamehameha, were escorted safely back to their village.
The Order of the Splintered Paddle is bestowed carefully upon persons who have distinguished themselves in national and international humanitarian acts, or in special instances of outstanding accomplishments. The first Splintered Paddle award was presented to President Eisenhower 15 September 1955.
Other noted travelers and protectors of the weak from the strong to receive the award are Admiral Raymond Spruance, Admiral Arthur W. Radford, Admiral Felix B. Stump, and Admiral Harry D. Felr.