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No. 709, Iona Pehu, Honolulu, 22 September 1847
N.R. 367-371v2
To the Esteemed William Lee, the President of the Land Commissioners whom the Mo'i has appointed to investigate the land claims in the Hawaiian Islands: As in the new law enacted in 1845 which was to take effect after 60 days, and because I realize that time has passed until the time when you advertised in the Elele, I thought of state my claim for a house, mauka of here. There are three house lots at Peleula in Honolulu. I am my own witness for the house lot. Another house lot claim of mine is at Kawele. The above house lotis my own, which is stated to you, the Land Commissioners. Because of my supposition, and hearing that you have appointed a deputy and other Commissioners to work, as well as J.H. Smith, and Z. Kaauwai and John Ii and N. Namauu, and you are the commissioners to investigate the truth of the claims and you will select the true claims and award or deny when they are understood, and you will verify if you know it to be true, and understanding this, I state that the circumference of this house lot is 107 fathoms, 3 feet 8 inches, of this lot of which I tell you, the Commissioners who do your work righteously and truthfully.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant.
N. IONA PEHU
Honolulu, 22 September 1847
To the Honorable William Lee, the President of the Four Land Commissioners whom the Mo'i has appointed to investigate the land claims in the Hawaiian Islands: As in the new law enacted in 1845 to take effect after the passage of 60 days, and because of the belief of I. Pehu, whose name is below, that I have a claim to a house lot mauka of Honolulu Aina, the place where I lived from ancient times until the present. I explain that the circumference of this house lot is 225 fathoms, two feet, 10 inches, and since I understand that it must be done before the 14th of February, my third house ....
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.... Pehu lived under Kinau where he continuously lived until his death. After Kinau had died, Pehu lived under Kekuanaoa. He had bequested all of his work with Kekuanaoa to Mahuka. I believe this place is for Pehu, Pahuwai, Aa, Kamae, Napulima and there are several people there now who have lived under Pehu. Three houses are standing there.
Pahuwai, sworn, I had been a servant of Pehu and had lived there at the time of Kaahumanu and by Pehu's request. I was there when the sugar mill had started to operate. I have not known who had put Pehu there nor have I known whether this place is in the sugar mill lot. I do not know the chief who owns that place. I have seen the Chinaman living there but I did not hear Kekuanaoa say to evict him. Previously I have not known anyone had objected, I do know now someone has objected.
Kauaua, sworn, I am a native of this place and I am very familiar with this place. Kaakaukukui is the land of the chiefs and I had seen Pehu build the enclosure for this place, also a house was built.
Kalawaia, the father of Pehu and the husband of Pahuwai, was placed there. Later the Chinaman under Pehu built his house. The sugar mill was a separate place and because I had wanted to plant taro, I built a patch. The road has cut through it leaving only a half portion. Pehu had built a wooden fence for this place during the time of Kaahumanu, but it fell apart and a mud enclosure was built in its place at the time Kinau was yet alive.
Poki then selected Pehu as konohiki for all the lands in Honolulu here when he had seen that this place had been included in Kaakaukukui while the ahupuaa is still his under the chiefs. I had not heard the objections to the Chinaman nor have I heard he had been evicted.
The land officers will make a decision.
[Award 709; R.P. 1125; Kaliu Honolulu Kona; 1 ap.; .79 Ac.; Kapauhi Honolulu Kona; 1 ap.; 1.34 Acs]