An inscription in the frame reads: "A Royal Hawaiian Cape (he ahu ula). This cape was presented to William Little Lee by Kamehameha III who was king of Hawaii in the early part of the 19th Century, in appreciation of his services as First Chief Justice of Hawaii - This is a genuine relic of long ago monarchical days - the feathers are those of the oo and iiwi birds - the oo bird is now extinct - We acknowledge the courtesy of Hon.Judge and Mrs Erskine C. Rodgers in loaning this cape for exhibit".
Cf. J.D. Holt, The Art of Featherwork in Old Hawai'i, Honolulu, 1985, pp.146/7 for a small cape with similar design now in the Bernice Bishop Museum. The cape was said to have been worn by Princess Pauahi as a child when she attended the kula keiki ali'i.