Hawaiian History
Pre-Contact Hawaii
Archaeological evidence combined with the degree of similarity in
languages, cultural practices and transported plants indicate that the order
of migration was first to the east to the Cook Islands, then on to Tahiti Nui,
the Society Islands, the Marquesas islands, Easter Island, Hawaii, and
finally south to New Zealand.
Some historians claim that sometime around the fourth or fifth century
A.D., the first planned migrations came from the Marquesas, in extreme
eastern Polynesia. For five centuries the Marquesans settled and lived
peacefully on the new land - Hawaii. Around 1,200 A.D., the Tahitians
arrived. Tahitian customs, legends, and language became the Hawaiian
way of life.
Kapu System
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Characterized by a complex religious, governmental and cultural
system that reflected the harmonious relationship the early Hawaiians
had with the natural world. Like all societies, the Hawaiians had a set of
rules or laws (kapu) to help guide their people. The Kapu System
outlined actions that were appropriate and inappropriate for people of
different ranks. For example, in the case of conservation, an alii (chief)
could forbid people from eating or using certain plants, animals, or
other resources. These restrictions could be for certain people and for
certain times of the year. With the aid of kapu, the scarce island
resources were protected from over-exploitation.
Due to the Kapu System, Hawaiians were great conservationists and
had excellent observation skills.
Hawaiian Akua (Gods)
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Ku - God of War
Kane - God of Life
Lono - God of Agriculture
Kanaloa - God of Ocean (Waters)
Kapu - 4 Groups People
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The alii, chiefs who ruled specific territories and who held
their positions on the basis of family ties and leadership
abilities - the chiefs were thought to be descendants of the
gods and the highest chiefs, alii kapu, were considered
gods.
 The kahuna, priests or skilled craftspersons that performed
important religious ceremonies and served the alii as close
advisers;
 The makaainana, commoners (by far the largest group)
who raised, stored, and prepared food, built houses and
canoes, and performed other daily tasks; and
 The kauwa, outcasts forced to lead lives segregated from
the rest of Hawaiian society.
Hawaiian Timeline
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1300-1500s Hawaiian population is growing
exponentially, Heiau honoring the gods and
chiefs are built (religious temples)
1580-1600 Liloa was the dominant chief and
ruled in peace
1600-1620 `Umi (son of Liloa) ruled and
inherited the war god Kuka’ilimoku
War God - Kuka’ilimoku
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1600s-1700s
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Ahupua’a - Land division system from the
Mountains to the sea which provided for all.
Extensive farming of plants
Extensive aquaculture practices with
fishponds throughout Hawaii
Off shore grounds were managed by an
‘ohana (family) umeke (fish traps)
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Ali’i (cont.)
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1620-1640 Keali`iokaloa, `Umi's son,
is an unpopular leader of Hawai`i.
Keawenui, his brother, follows, when
he defeats his nephew, Keali`iokaloa's
son, Kuka`ilani.
Ali’i 1700-1800
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Lonomakahiki - grandson to ‘Umi
Keawe great grand nephew of Lonomakahiki
Alapa’inui rules and moves government from Kailua to Kohala,
due to the proximity of Kohala to Maui, Alapai attacks Maui
Kekaulike - Ruler of Maui attacks Hawaii after Maui is attack by Alapa’I
Kalani’opu’u grandson of Keawe leads a revolt against Alapa’i
son, Keawe`opala. Kalani`opu`u wages war against Maui and
during this time meets Captain Cook on his first visit to the
Islands. Kalani`opu`u meets Cook again when he anchors at
Kealakekua the next year. It is during a kidnap attempt
against Kalani`opu`u, who was meant to be ransom for a
stolen cutter, that Cook is killed. At Kalani`opu`u's death, he
passes his kingdom to his son Kiwala`o but bequeaths his war
god, Kuka`ilimoku, to his nephew Kamehameha.
Kamehameha I
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Kamehameha I : Pai'ea
Life: 1758? - May 8 1819
Royal Reign:
1810 - May 8 1819 King
Kamehameha is well
known for being the first
Hawaiian King on written
record to have unified
the Hawaiian Islands
under single ruler in
1810.
When he was born, he
was taken to be raised
by his uncle in Pololu.
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Ali’I 1700-1800 (cont.)
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Kamehameha battles Kiwala`o, Kiwala`o's brother
Keoua, and their uncle Keawemauhili at Moku`ohai.
Kiwala`o is killed by Kamehameha's ally
Ke`eaumoku; Keoua and Keawemauhili escape,
returning to Ka`u and Hilo.
1791 Seeking to conquer all of Hawai`i Island,
Kamehameha heeds the advice of a high priest and
builds Pu`ukohola, a large heiau dedicated to his war
god, Kuka`ilimoku. Invited to the dedication
ceremonies, his remaining rival Keoua is killed on
arrival by Ke`eaumoku. Keoua's death and sacrifice
cement Kamehameha's rule.1794 Kamehameha
reconquers Maui after uniting Hawai`i Island under
his rule.
Puu Kohola heiau sits atop the hill for
which it is named. The rocks to build this
heiau came from Pololu Valley 25+ miles
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Painting by Herb Kane depicting
the Building of this Heiau
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The arrival of Keoua
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Heiau Today
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