The Ajerrin Head of State
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The Ajerrin Head of State, known as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina or Queen of the Ajerrin Islands. The office was established in 2003 after six years of civil war between the pro-Lahuian absolutist government and the Federation forces of the Ajerr'i, Wai Apo and Wiele Kingdoms. The Federation brought together the seven kingdoms of the Kawanaka archipelago (from north to south): the Endik'i, Wilele, Er'in'a, Lahu'i, Ajerr'i, Wai Apo, and Tongoni kingdoms. Ajerrin is a constitutional monarchy with an elected monarch as head of state. The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is one of the few elected monarchs in the world. The formal address is styled in English as "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty".
In Ajerri's constitutional monarchy, Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina has extensive powers within the constitution. The constitution specifies that the executive power of the Federal Government is vested in the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina and is exercised by her on the advise of the Federal Council of Ministers. The latter is headed by The Prime Minister, or Royal Hand, appointed by the Mo'o Wahine o ko Ajerr'i Pae 'Aina. Among them, Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina has discretionary powers to choose who she wants as the Royal Hand and is not bound by the decision of the outgoing RH. She also can dismiss or withhold consent to request for the dissolution of Parliament. He may discontinue or dissolve Parliament but she can only dissolve Parliament at the request of the RH. For a bill to become law, royal assent is required .
The 4th and current Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is Lani Kawana Nakoa. Her reign began on 24 May 2017, after her election the night before at the Royal Kapu Noho in New Hope.
Title
Her official title is 'Ma ka Lokomaikaʻi o ke Akua, Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina'. A literal english translation is By the grace of God, Queen of the Ajerrin Islands. Common English terms used in the media and by the general public inlcude "Queen", "Supreme Queen", "Head of State", "Head of the Federation", and "Head of State of the Federation". On Ajerrin passports the untranslated title "Her Majesty the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina" is used.
History
After the fall of the Lahu'i State in 1997, the Royal Council elected the first Head of State in the Royal Kapu Noho ceremony.
The first Royal Council compromised:
- The King of the Ajerr'i
- The King of the Wai Apo
- The Ali'i Kahuna of Wilele Islands
- The King of Endik'i
- The King of Tongoni
- The King of Er'in'a
- The High Chief of Lahu'i
List of Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina
The following Rulers have served as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina:
| № | Name | State | Reign | Birth | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Nohi Kalakaua |  Ajerrin |
31 August 2003 – 31 August 2008 | 1 April 1954 | 11 May 2011 (aged 57) |
| 2 | King Pa'ao Lunalilo | Template:Country data Weilele Islands | 31 August 2008 – 31 August 2013 | 13 November 1949 | |
| 3 | King Lani Lakanoka | Template:Country data Wai Apo | 21 September 2013 – 12 May 2017 | 25 November 1960 | 12 May 2017 (aged 56) |
| 4 | Queen Lelani Kawana Kakoa | Ajerrin |
24 May 2017 – Present | 24 January 1978 |
Election
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is formally elected to a five-year term by and from the seven rulers of the Kawanaka archepalgo, who form the Ruling Council. After a ruler has served as the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina, they may stand for one additional election.
In the event of a vacancy of the office by death, resignation, or deposition by a majority vote of the rulers, the Royal Council elects a new Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina as if the pervious term had expired. The new Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is elected for a full five-year term. After his term expires, the Council holds a new election, in which the incumbent still has the potential to be elected.
The Royal Council does not have the power to disqualify a candidate, but minors are automatically disqualified from holding office. The Royal Council has met regularly since 2003. The three governors of Federal lands also attend the Council, but only Rulers are allowed to vote and stand for an election as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina.
Qualifications
- Only a Ruler may be elected
- Only the Rulers may vote
The Constitution provides that a Ruler is not eligible for election as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina if:
- The Ruler is a minor
- The Ruler has notified the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal that he does not wish to be elected
- The Royal Council by a secret ballot resolves that the Ruler is unsuitable by reason of infirmity of mind or body, or for any other cause, to exercise the functions of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina. The resolution requires at least five members of the Council to vote in favor of it.
Election Proceedings
The election is carried out by a secret ballot. The ballot papers used are not numbered, but marked with the same pen and ink, and are inserted into a ballot box. Only the Rulers participate in the election.
A Ruler may appoint another Ruler as his proxy to vote on his behalf if he is unable to attend the Election Meeting.
During the election process, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal distributes the ballot with only one candidate. Each Ruler is requested to indicate whether the candidate is suitable or not to be elected as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina.
The most junior Ruler, who is not listed as nominee for the office of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina, or the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is appointed to count the ballot papers together with the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal.
The nominee must have obtained four votes before the Ruler presiding over the Election Meeting offers him the office of Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina. If the successful nominee declines the offer or the nominated Ruler fails to secure the required majority votes, the voting process is repeated with the nomination of the second most senior Ruler based on the list of Seniority of States. Rulers are named, and stand for election in turn.
The process is completed only after a Ruler has accepted the offer of the office of Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina. The Conference declares the Ruler as the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina to hold office for a term of five years. The ballot papers are destroyed in the presence of the Rulers as soon as the result of the election is announced.
On taking office as Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina, he appoints a regent for the duration of his five-year term for the state which he rules. Usually, but not always, the regent is a close relative. The regent acts as head of state in that state for every purpose except for the role of head of the Faith, which is retained by the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina.
Order of Seniority of States
Since the first cycle of seven Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina (2003–2008), the order among the eligible state rulers has followed the order established by that cycle, namely:
- The King of the Ajerr'i
- The King of the Wai Apo
- The Ali'i Kahuna of Wilele Islands
- The King of Er'in'a
- The High Chief of Lahu'i
- The King of Endik'i
- The King of Tongoni
This cycle was originally established based on seniority of membership into the Federation starting in 2003. However, the current Rulers are named (and stand as a candidate) according to the cycle, irrespective of whether they are currently the most senior by age. However, the order is not a precedent and the election to the position of Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is at the pleasure of the Royal Council. As an elective monarchy, there is no line of succession to the throne of Ajerrin.
Ajerrin's three Federal territories currently have no hereditary royal rulers. These are Ahua Ka Hale in the central waters of Ajerrin, Maka on the island of Lahu'i and the island of A'na in the Gulf of Sanai. These three territories never supply the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina.
Ka Hope Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina
The Ka Hope Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina (Deputy Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina) is elected by the same process immediately after the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina. The office is usually (but not always) held by the ruler next in line after the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina. The Ka Hope Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina exercises the functions of the head of state during the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina's absence, or inability to exercise his functions due to illness or infirmity (similar to a regent in other countries).
The current Ka Hope Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is xxx of yyy since Date.
Roles
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina's role is that of a constitutional monarch. The Federal Constitution and Parliamentary Acts made in accordance with it define the extent of his powers as the Federal Head of State. The executive power of the federal government is vested in him.
The monarch's powers are basically divided into two broad categories:
- the powers that he exercises on the advice of the Prime Minister, a Minister, the Cabinet, the Royal Council, or some other officer or institution; and
- the powers that he exercises at his discretion (without the consent of any other authority).
The discretionary powers of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina pertain chiefly to appointing the Prime Minister, withholding consent to dissolve Parliament, and calling meetings with the Royal Council "concerned solely with the privileges, position, honors and dignities of Their Royal Highnesses." Under this System, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is expected to appoint a Prime Minister who will command the confidence of a majority of the elected lower house of the National Assembly, The People's House. Should the Prime Minister be or become unacceptable, he may be forced out by a vote of no confidence, which would require the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina to dissolve Parliament on advice of the Prime Minister, or refuse to dissolve Parliament and appoint someone else as Prime Minister.
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina renews the appointment of a Prime Minister after every general election until the minister decides to step down. Whenever the Prime Minister chooses to dissolve Parliament, he calls for a general election. The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina may choose to refuse a Prime Minister's request to dissolve Parliament, as one of his discretionary powers.
Residences
The official residence of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is Ka Hale Aliʻi (the State Palace) located in Ajerr'i in the federal capital of New Hope. It was completed in 2005. The Lahui Ka Hale Aliʻi was turned into a royal museum. Other residences include the royal retreat, Kailua-Kona (Kailua Palace) in Wai Apo. It is also the venue of meetings of the Royal Councils, which elects the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina.
Appointments
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina appoints numerous high-ranking office holders in the Federation under the terms of the Constitution and various Acts passed by the National Assembly. The constitution established procedures for such appointments.
The Federal Council of Ministers (Cabinet)
- Prime Minister or The Royal Hand as the Chairman of the Cabinet, at his discretion from among the elected members of the House of Representatives who commands the support of The People's Assembly – usually the party or coalition leader.
- Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, while acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Chief Secretary to the Government as the Secretary of the Cabinet, while acting on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Commissions and committees
- The Election Commission, on the advice of the Royal Council.
- The Judicial and Legal Service Commission, after consultation with the Chief Justice
- The Ajerrin Public Service Commission at his discretion, after considering the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Royal Council.
Judges
- The Chief Justice of Ajerrin , on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Royal Council.
- The Chief Judge of the West, on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Royal Council.
- The Chief Judge of the East, on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Royal Council.
The Assembly & Kahuna 'elele
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina appoints 24 members of The Assembly, the upper house of the Ajerr'i National Congress.
State Governors
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina appoints the State Governors of the states of Akuna Ka Hal and Maka at his discretion after considering the advice of the state's Chief Minister.
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina also appoints the Mayor and City Council of New Hope, which is a Federal Territory.
Head of the Faith
In addition, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is the head of the Kawanaka Faith in the states ruled by appointed Governors, in the Federal Territories, as well as their own state. In this role, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is advised by the State Kawanaka Faith Affairs Council in each of the states.
Duties as Commander-in-Chief
In accordance with Article 15 of the Federal Constitution, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is the Commander-in-Chief of the Federation's Armed Forces. As such, he is the highest-ranking officer in the military chain of command.
As the Supreme Commander of the Ajerri Armed Forces, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina appoints the Chief of the Armed Forces Staff, on the advice of the Armed Forces Council. He also appoints the service heads of each of the three branches of the military forces.
Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina Scholarship
n November 2017, the 4th Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina awarded, for the first time, the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina Scholarship to ten outstanding students to pursue postgraduate studies at high-ranking world universities. The award of scholarships was held at the Royal Council Palace in conjunction with the Independence Day celebrations and the Royal Council.
Immunity
In 2017, amendments to the Ajerri constitution removed the legal immunity of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina and the rulers in their personal capacity, due to public outrage over their behaviour. A Special Royal Court is established where civil and criminal proceedings can be made against a ruler with the approval of the Attorney General. The right to sue a ruler is limited to Ajerri citizens following a precedent. The Special Royal Court also has jurisdiction where a ruler initiates legal actions against any party.
When a ruler is charged with an offence in the Special Royal Court, he is required to stop exercising the functions of a ruler. In the event of a ruler being sentenced to imprisonment for more than one day, he will cease to be a ruler unless a free pardon is granted.
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina or any ruler cannot pardon himself or his immediate family. In such case, they may request clemency from the Royal Council.
The Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina cannot be sued in court for his actions while carrying out his official duties. Any claims can be made against the federal government.
Royal Standards
The Royal Standard of the Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina is royal blue background with a white Seven-Pointed Teardrop Star in the center, with two white vertical lines on the left side. The Deputy Moʻi Wahine o ko Ajerrʻi Pae ʻAina standard is royal blue background with a white Seven-Pointed Teardrop Star in the center, with one white vertical line on the left side. Other royal members will have a royal blue background with a white Seven-Pointed Teardrop Star in the center and below that is the office bearer's title.