The platform of Rep. Philip Kamai

Philip Kamai's Views

(Pacific Commercial Advertiser, April 7, 1890)

The Representative for Hana Outlines His Conduct in the Next Legislature.

On March 30th, between the hours of 1 and 6 p.m., the Hana Representative, Philip Kamai, held a meeting of his constituents at the old school house adjoining his residence. There were fifty-four kanakas,¹ one Portuguese and one American present. Light was called for from on high by a Rev. Mr. Kailioha of Huelo. The work of the meeting proceeded very quietly, when our Representative said he would give us the outlines of his conduct in the coming Legislature by reading out the twenty-three points given below. I reproduce them for what they are worth, without comment; suffice it to mention that No. 3 was received with an uproarious applause.

He started thusly: When once I am firmly footed in the midst of my law-making brethren, your humble servant will do all in his power to—

1. To preserve the autonomy of these Islands.
2. To pay off our national debt.
3. To procure absolute (despotic) power for the King.
4. To preserve a retrenchment of salary from first to last.
5. To sell, at a low price, the Government lands to natives who have no lands.
6. To procure Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese restriction.
7. To promote an extension of Treaty with the United States.
8. To revoke that “famous marriage Act” which passed last legislature.
9. To introduce “Arbor Day.”
10. Voting for Nobles to be in every one’s reach.
11. To form a Cabinet consisting of two natives and two whites.
12. To reduce taxes.
13. The succeeding candidate for Representative only to pay the $25 fee, not both.
14. Native jury for Hawaiians and a white jury for whites.
15. To abolish annuities.
16. Ministers of religion to instruct school children in religion daily between school hours.
17. Constituents are to let their wants be made known to their Representative through a chosen committee of thirteen, and to procure signatures not to exceed fifty in number.
18. To procure an appropriation for a jail at Kipahulu.
19. Children under 17 years not to be taxed.
20. To procure two Judges for Hana district.
21. To procure two Representatives for Hana district.
22. The road taxes collected in each village to remain in the village and not to be put in the District Road Funds.
23. The above twenty-two points are to be sat upon and duly considered before he (the Representative) runs the gauntlet in the Legislative halls.

A committee was then picked out as follows: Paele, chairman; Kala, secretary; Anakalea, Kamoau, Kanamu, Helio, Naehu, Karolo, Nehemia, Haleauki, Anton Paiko, and Kalima. The committee is to meet next week, April 12th, to further consider the dire wants of Kaupo and the district in general.

Before the meeting dispersed a letter was read from Ulupalakua, requesting our Rep. P. Kamai to be present at a grand luau to be held there in honor of “Missy Wilikoki” some day next week.

KAHUPO.²
Kaupo, March 31.

Issues of Rep. P. Kamai

("Na Kumuhana a Lunamakaainana P. Kamai", Ko Hawaii Pae Aina, April 19, 1890)³

On March 30, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Hana Rep. Philip Kamai held a public meeting at the old schoolhouse next to his residence at Puuomaiai, Kaupo. There were 54 Hawaiians, one Portuguese and one American present. The Rev. Mr. Kailioha of Huelo called for the heavenly light to shine down. The events of the meeting proceeded smoothly as our representative presented his platform, consisting of 23 points, for the coming legislative session. Here they are, without additional commentary from me except that he was greatly desirous of Point 3. 

He began, “When my feet march among my fellow legislators, your humble servant will strive to accomplish these items":

1. To preserve our government’s independence. 
2. To pay off our national debt.
3. To return absolute power to the king.⁴
4. To reduce government salaries at all levels. 
5. For government lands to be sold at a low price to Hawaiians who have no lands. 
6. For Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese immigration to be limited. 
7. For the treaty with the United States of America to be continued.
8. To end that desertion of marriage law passed in the last legislative assembly. 
9. For “Arbor Day” to be established as a holiday.
10. For voting for chiefs⁵ to be open to all. 
11. A cabinet with two Hawaiians and two whites. 
12. For a reduction in taxes. 
13. That only the winner for representative pay $25.00 and not the loser as well. 
14. Hawaiian juries for Hawaiians, and white juries for whites. 
15. For pensions to be abolished. 
16. For ministers to instruct students in religious matters daily between school hours. 
17. That citizens’ grievances contain 50 signatures and be presented to their representative through a chosen committee of thirteen members. 
18. An appropriation for a jail in Kipahulu. 
19. That children under 17 not be taxed. 
20. Two judges for Hana district. 
21. Two representatives for Hana district. 
22. That the road taxes collected in each town not be transferred to the road funds for the district. 
23. That these above-mentioned issues be duly considered before the representative’s activity in the legislature. 

A committee was chosen, and here are the people selected: Paele, chairman; Kala, secretary; Anakalea, Kamoau, Kanamu, Helio, Naehu, Karelo, Nehemia, Haleauki, Anton Paiko and Kalima. The committee will be meeting next week on April 12 to consider the problems of Kaupo and the entire district. 

Before the meeting was brought to a close, a letter was read from Ulupalakua requesting that our representative travel there for a great feast to be thrown in honor of Missy Wilcox. The meeting was adjourned.  

KAHUPO. 
Kaupo, March 31.