Mamalahoe

Māmalahoe, or "Law of the Splintered Paddle" (also translated "Law of the Splintered Oar"), is a precept in Hawaiian law, originating with King Kamehameha I in 1797. The law, "Let every elderly person, woman and child lie by the roadside in safety," is enshrined in the state constitution, [http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol01_Ch0001-0042F/05-Const/CONST_0009-0010.htm Article 9, Section 10] , and has become a model for modern human rights law regarding the treatment of civilians and other non-combatants during battle. It was created when Kamehameha was fighting in Puna. While chasing two fishermen (presumably with the intention to kill them), his leg was caught in the reef, and one of the fisherman, Kaleleiki, hit him mightily on the head with a paddle in defense, which broke into pieces. Luckily, Kamehameha was able to escape. Years later, the same fisherman was brought before Kamehameha. Instead of ordering for him to be killed Kamehameha ruled that the fisherman had only been protecting his land and family, and so the Law of the Splintered Paddle was formed.

The complete original 1797 law in Hawaiian and translated to English:

quote|Māmalahoe Kānāwai: "E nā kānaka," "E mālama ‘oukou i ke akua" "A e mālama ho‘i ke kanaka nui a me kanaka iki;" "E hele ka ‘elemakule, ka luahine, a me ke kama" "A moe i ke ala" "‘A‘ohe mea nāna e ho‘opilikia." "Hewa nō, make."|Kamehameha I

English translation

quote|Law of the Splintered Paddle: O my people, Honor thy god; respect alike [the rights of] men great and humble; See to it that our aged, our women, and our children Lie down to sleep by the roadside Without fear of harm. Disobey, and die.

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