WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court refused without comment to hear a case that ultimately intended to restore the Hawaiian monarchy.

The lawsuit by David Keanu Sai sought an order compelling President Clinton to honor an 1850 treaty between the Hawaiian kingdom and the United States.

The court's action Monday came in a one-line order stating that Sai's petition for a writ of mandamus was denied. The purpose of a writ of mandamus is to enforce rights already established.

The lawsuit claimed that the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the 1898 annexation of the islands by the United States were illegal.

Thus, the 1850 Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the two nations never was terminated and still is in effect, Sai claimed.

Sai claims to be an appointed regent of the Hawaiian kingdom and has petitioned United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for assistance in restoring the Hawaiian monarchy.

Sai also is a co-founder of Perfect Title Co., which challenges the legality of land titles issued since the 1893 overthrow. Sai and three others were indicted in December in connection with their attempts to claim homes and lands based on kingdom law.

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