Private Ways and Water Rights

This collection, which was selectively digitized, covers the time period of 1857 to 1892. A total of 5 files and 913 individual images may be found in this curated digitized collection. The original documents may be found using the Hawaiʻi State Archives' Department of Interior Finding Aid (Int. Dept. Box 35). During the Kingdom era, the “Legislature provided for the appointment, by the Minister of the Interior, of three persons in each election district to act as Commissioners of the Private Ways and Water Rights." The major duty of commissioners was to “hear and determine controversies respecting rights of way and water rights.” One particular commissioner, Emma Nakuina, bears special mention. She was appointed for the district of Kona, on the island of Oahu for the time period of 1892 to 1907.

Please click on the following links to access this digitized collection.

  • Private Ways and Water Rights, Commissioners of Kauai, 1866-1899
  • Private Ways and Water Rights, Commissioners of Maui, 1857-1884
  • Private Ways and Water Rights, Commissioners of Molokai, 1878-1889
  • Records of Private Ways and Water Rights, 1843 to 1887 Files, July 12, 1892
  • Records of Private Ways and Water Rights, 1859 to 1892 Files, September 1892