Kānāwai Māmalahoe

Countless stories abound in Hawaiian folklore of the removal of chiefs[3] – generally, but not always, through popular execution – as a result of mistreatment of the common people,[4] who have traditionally been intolerant of bad government.

Both a shrewd politician and leader, as well as a skilled warrior, Kamehameha used these concepts to turn what could have been a point of major popular criticism to his political advantage, while protecting the human rights of his people for future generations.

[7] Since 1955, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi has inducted local and national figures into the "Order of the Splintered Paddle" to recognize contributions to community welfare.

As such, particularly in consideration of the human rights concerns of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement (in which the annexation and establishment of the State of Hawaii is generally viewed as illegal because it was accomplished through legislation instead of a separate treaty[9]), Kānāwai Māmalahoe has been the subject of extended controversy.

[14] The Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an editorial discussing modern-day application of the Law of the Splintered Paddle to contemporary homeless populations living in Hawaii.