J. H. Levi Haalelea leased his kula lands at Honouliuli to John Meek. The following documents that lease.
This lease agreement is executed on this 16th day of February, 1853, between J. H. L. Haalelea of the first part, and John Meek of the other part, both residing in Honolulu, Oahu. J. H. L. Haalelea on behalf of himself, his heirs and administrators, hereby leases to John Meek, his heirs, assigns and administrators, all of his remaining kula lands at Honouliuli. Here is the entire natures of the kula land entered into this lease, which was originally agreed upon between A. Kealiiahonui, M. Kekauonohi and John Meek, for that land called Lihue on the third day of March 1846; and in a certain lease between J. H. L. Haalelea and John Meek for the land of Waimanalo dated the 15th day of July 1854. The terms of the leases for those two lands continue and are not made a part of this lease.
Here are the places that are retained by the party of the first part, those Loko ia (fish ponds) which are on this kula, and the fishing running between the two walls, with thoughts that it will run to Mokumeha, and adjoin the kalo land lots, and also the place between Kualakai and the lot of C. W. Vincent; there is also retained that area call Kapauhi [Kapapapuhi]. There is also retained the fishery and rights appertaining to it, just as that which was retained with Waimanalo. There is also retained the land lot at Honouliuli and the kula within the lot, as well as the cultivated land at Poupouwela. None of these things are included within this lease. The livestock of John Meek may peaceably travel upon these places, without being restrained in paddocks. Poupouwela will be continued as it has in the past…
Here also is this, the trees of the mountains shall be protected as a part of this lease though the party of the first part agrees that the party of the second part may go into the forest to gather what he needs, but it shall not be for sale.
John Meek shall have the aforementioned land in lease hold for the term of twenty five years from this day forwards, with no one opposing his residency …He shall pay to said J. H. L. Haalelea, his heirs, assigns and or administrators the sum of $300.00 for each year of this lease agreements.
This lease cannot be opposed by the people who are living under the shelter of the party of the first part. At the end of the term of this lease, all of the real property, such as the houses and walls/fences, shall be retained on the land.
In witness of the truth of this lease agreement, we both set our names and seals on this sixteenth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
John Meek
J. H. L. Haalelea
Witnesses:
W. L. Moehonua
J. I. Dowsett
G. P. Rives1
1Liber 5, p. 435–436, February 16, 1853. Translated by Maly.