Waihona Aina

.... 31 that on or about 25th October 1826 I purchased of the late John Gowan, an American citizen then residing at said Island of Oahu, all his right of title to a certain tract or parcel of land situated in the Village of Honolulu, in said Island of Oahu, together with the buildings thereon.

Immediately after the purchase, I applied to Governor Boki, the then Governor of Oahu, requesting him to sanction the purchase, and confirm the title in me. He told me, he could could [sic] not give me any permanent title to the land, as the fee or title to all the lands on the Islands was vested in the King, that it was fast in him; and no one could alienate it from him, or in language to that effect, which corresponds with the understanding I have always had respecting the title of lands at the Islands, according to the ancient customs and laws of the land.

Governor Boki told me that Gowan had permission to build on the land; and that I should not be likely to be disturbed while I continued to occupy it or to hold it as others did at during [sic] the pleasure of the King.

When I sold the premises purchased of John Gowan I sold the buildings with all my right to the land, considering myself a tenant at will to the King; the fee of the land being permanent in him. But that although the right was reserved to the King, I did not expect that I, nor my successors would be disturbed while in the peaceable occupation of the premises, or so long as we comply with the customs and laws of the land. All my right, title and interest in said land were sold by me to Henry A. Peirce [Pierce], my successor in the premises, and in business at Oahu.

Given under my hand and seal at Boston, Massachusetts, United Sates of America, this 16th day of November 8144.
James Hunnewell
Witness to Signature
John C. Hunnewell

Note. It is difficult to distinguish the figure 2 from 1 in 1826 first referred to in the original document, JHS, secretary


N.T. 297v2
No. 576,Mr. Pulua [C. Brewer], September 27, 1647

Lanai, sworn by the Word of God and stated, Hanuela [Honeywell] had come in the month of Oct. or Nov. probably, in the year 1826 and obtained that place, the place Pulua's [Brewer's] store is standing. He had wanted a lease with a certain foreigner to which the foreigner did agree, but the decision was with the chiefs. So they felt they should go to them, but I did not go with them, altho' I had heard that Hanuela [Honeywell] had attended to the necessary arrangements. Later a separate house was joined on the mauka side and the (foreigner) had thought the adjoining parcel was leased by Hanuela. After this the roads were built and a new section (of land) running to the road was granted. I have not heard that anyone has ever objected to him. He has lived there to the present time. That haole is Keoni Makapoopoo (John Gowan). He had lived with Kaumualii, the chief of Kauai, as an interpreter for the for the chiefs and for the foreigners of Honolulu here. I believe Hanuela [Hunnewell] had received this place from Poli. He had built a house there and I have seen him doing some work for the chiefs at that time. The chiefs did not pay too much attention to land then for the price of land was not quality in dollars. I think Hanuela had paid $400.00 and he had wanted three houses or two perhaps, two grass houses and one small mud hut. He had felt that those four hundred dollars would be for the land, huts and fence. I have not seen anyone objecting to him from that time to this day."

Kimo of Pakaka (James Robinson), sworn by the Word of God and he stated, "I came here in the ear 1822 and I have always lived here in Honolulu. I know Keoni Makapoopoo (John Gowan). Hehad lived at Pulua's place. I have seen him living together with the chiefs. I have not known that the foreigners have paid him as an interpreter. I have known that Hanuela had bought that place, but I have not known the amount of money as payment. I have known that Peirce was his assistant, then jointly with Pulua, then Pulua joined with Mashall and Mashall has joined with Williams at the present time. I had heard at the time the streets were being built that another section of land was exchanged for the one used for the street, which is the parcel with the gate of the lot close to the road leading I out of the fort. Kekuanaoa had agreed to let Pulua have that place. "

A.H. Faiweathe (Fayerweather), sworn by the Word of God and stated, " I came to Honolulu here in the year 1831 and at that time Peirce was living there and I lived under Peirce and with Brewer for eight years or a little more perhaps. Peirce lived on that land with Brewer and Brewer had interest in the land, houses and in the entire estate. I was the secretary of their estate at that time. The responsibility was mine whenever they went on trips.

Brewer had objections when the roads had been built and the original store had to be given up for the street and a new store building has been erected altho' on a new foundation. When Peirce and Brewer were going on a trip, the attendants had become apprehensive about the fence so they built a new fence. I had complained to the governor and he showed me where the fence should have been built. When Peirce died Brewer returned they complained to Baninameda (Brinsmade) for their trouble, thus they were given another section of land,that is the area leading out to Fort Street. The governor had thought of making a narrow street but Brewer had refused this, so the consul made arrangements and another (street) was given. These things were done when an important Kamakoa (commander?) had arrived. I have known all of these things because I had been their secretary; however, the small details I have forgotten perhaps. No one has ever denied this old property and at that time there was no law like there is now concerning estates."

Berinameda (Brinsmade), sworn by the Word of God and stated, "I landed here in July, in the year 1833, and Peirce had been living there before I had come here. I had a talk with Hanuela about buying a place for him here and he had asked me to explain to him the condition of his land. It is a good land like any other land in Honolulu here; however, Peirce did not tell me the condition of the houses, but there may not be any other good lands like this one and is worth $5000.00. He said that he would buy the houses and the lot for $5000.00 if this was accepted by him. He had wanted to really buy it like they do in America because he had not known how land is bought here. I have known that Brewer had always lived here. Peirce had told me that the Ladd property makai of here is a replacement for that place mauka and it is worth $6000.00 and I lived there as an American consul. Brewer had com-plained to me for their loss for the constructing of the street and had asked $3000.00 for the fence and property."

[Award 576; R.P. 1622; Fort St. Honolulu Kona; 1 ap.; .77 Ac.]