Resolved that this Council fully concurring in the views embodied in the preamble of a decree instituting an order of merit, respectfully advises His Majesty to promulgate the proposed decree.” Members Varigny, Harris and Andrews spoke in favor of the Institution and the following resolution Passed unanimously.” as to the propriety of creating an order, and read a Decree which he had prepared. Having read the 35 article of the Constitution he asked the advice of the members of the P. “His Majesty stated that it was his intention to make Known to the Privy Council that it is his desire to institute an order of merit. It also expressed his “wish to confer honorary distinctions upon such of Our subjects and foreigners as have rendered, or may hereafter render, to Our dynasty and People important services …” The King’s Decree noted he was “desirous to cultivate and develop among (his) subjects the feelings of Honour and loyalty to Our Dynasty and its institutions…” In 1864, when it appeared that a new constitution could not be agreed upon, he declared that the Constitution of 1852 be replaced by one he had written himself.Ĭonsistent with the prior constitution, Article 35 of the Constitution of 1864 (identified as Article 37 in the prior Constitution of 1852) states, “All Titles of Honor, Orders, and other distinctions, emanate from the King.” He sought a new constitution to restore more powers to the king.

These were societies, fellowships and colleges of knights created by European monarchs in imitation of the military orders of the Crusades.įast forward to 1863 and Hawaiʻi with the death of his younger brother (Alexander Liholiho – Kamehameha IV,) Prince Lot Kapuāiwa became Kamehameha V. Modern Orders of Merit and other Decorations can be traced back to the monarchical and honorific orders of chivalry as established in the Middle Ages. Most historic orders imply a membership in a group.

An Order or Order of Merit is a visible honor (in many cases represented in some form of medal and/or ribbon) awarded by a monarch, government or organization to an individual.

Royal order of kamehameha 1