Hawaiian History

Hawaiian History

Pre-Contact HawaiiPre-Contact Hawaii

Archaeological evidence combined with the degree of similarity Archaeological evidence combined with the degree of similarity in languages, cultural practices and transported plants indicate in languages, cultural practices and transported plants indicate

that the order of migration was first to the east to the Cook 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, then on to Tahiti Nui, the Society Islands, the Marquesas islands, Easter Island, Hawaii, and finally south to New Zealand.islands, Easter Island, Hawaii, and finally south to New Zealand.

Some historians claim that sometime around the fourth or fifth Some historians claim that sometime around the fourth or fifth century A.D., the first planned migrations came from the century A.D., the first planned migrations came from the

Marquesas, in extreme eastern Polynesia. For five centuries the Marquesas, in extreme eastern Polynesia. For five centuries the Marquesans settled and lived peacefully on the new land - Marquesans settled and lived peacefully on the new land - Hawaii. Around 1,200 A.D., the Tahitians arrived. Tahitian Hawaii. Around 1,200 A.D., the Tahitians arrived. Tahitian

customs, legends, and language became the Hawaiian way of customs, legends, and language became the Hawaiian way of life.life.

Kapu SystemKapu System

Characterized by a complex religious, governmental and Characterized by a complex religious, governmental and cultural system that reflected the harmonious relationship the cultural system that reflected the harmonious relationship the early Hawaiians had with the natural world. Like all societies, early Hawaiians had with the natural world. Like all societies, the Hawaiians had a set of rules or laws (the Hawaiians had a set of rules or laws (kapukapu) to help guide ) to help guide their people. The their people. The KapuKapu System outlined actions that were System outlined actions that were appropriate and inappropriate for people of different ranks. appropriate and inappropriate for people of different ranks. For example, in the case of conservation, an For example, in the case of conservation, an aliialii (chief) could (chief) could forbid people from eating or using certain plants, animals, or forbid people from eating or using certain plants, animals, or other resources. These restrictions could be for certain people other resources. These restrictions could be for certain people and for certain times of the year. With the aid of and for certain times of the year. With the aid of kapukapu, the , the scarce island resources were protected from over-scarce island resources were protected from over-exploitation.exploitation.

Due to the Due to the Kapu SystemKapu System, Hawaiians were great , Hawaiians were great conservationists and had excellent observation skills.conservationists and had excellent observation skills.

Hawaiian Akua (Gods)Hawaiian Akua (Gods)

Ku - God of WarKu - God of War Kane - God of LifeKane - God of Life Lono - God of AgricultureLono - God of Agriculture Kanaloa - God of Ocean (Waters)Kanaloa - God of Ocean (Waters)

Kapu - 4 Groups PeopleKapu - 4 Groups People The The aliialii, chiefs who ruled specific territories and who , chiefs who ruled specific territories and who

held their positions on the basis of family ties and held their positions on the basis of family ties and leadership abilities - the chiefs were thought to be leadership abilities - the chiefs were thought to be descendants of the gods and the highest chiefs, descendants of the gods and the highest chiefs, alii alii kapukapu, were considered gods., were considered gods.

The The kahunakahuna, priests or skilled craftspersons that , priests or skilled craftspersons that performed important religious ceremonies and served performed important religious ceremonies and served the the aliialii as close advisers; as close advisers;

The The makaainanamakaainana, commoners (by far the largest group) , commoners (by far the largest group) who raised, stored, and prepared food, built houses and who raised, stored, and prepared food, built houses and canoes, and performed other daily tasks; andcanoes, and performed other daily tasks; and

The The kauwakauwa, outcasts forced to lead lives segregated , outcasts forced to lead lives segregated from the rest of Hawaiian society.from the rest of Hawaiian society.

Hawaiian TimelineHawaiian Timeline

1300-1500s Hawaiian population is growing 1300-1500s Hawaiian population is growing exponentially, Heiau honoring the gods and exponentially, Heiau honoring the gods and chiefs are built (religious temples)chiefs are built (religious temples)

1580-1600 Liloa was the dominant chief and 1580-1600 Liloa was the dominant chief and ruled in peaceruled in peace

1600-1620 1600-1620 `̀Umi (son of Liloa) ruled and Umi (son of Liloa) ruled and inherited the war god Kuka’ilimokuinherited the war god Kuka’ilimoku

War God - Kuka’ilimokuWar God - Kuka’ilimoku

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1600s-1700s1600s-1700s

Ahupua’a - Land division system from the Ahupua’a - Land division system from the Mountains to the sea which provided for all.Mountains to the sea which provided for all.

Extensive farming of plantsExtensive farming of plants Extensive aquaculture practices with Extensive aquaculture practices with

fishponds throughout Hawaiifishponds throughout Hawaii Off shore grounds were managed by an Off shore grounds were managed by an

‘ohana (family) umeke (fish traps)‘ohana (family) umeke (fish traps)





Ali’i (cont.)Ali’i (cont.)

1620-16401620-1640 Kealiìokaloa, Ùmi's son, Kealiìokaloa, Ùmi's son, is an unpopular leader of Hawaiì. is an unpopular leader of Hawaiì. Keawenui, his brother, follows, when Keawenui, his brother, follows, when he defeats his nephew, Kealiìokaloa's he defeats his nephew, Kealiìokaloa's son, Kukaìlani.son, Kukaìlani.

Ali’i 1700-1800Ali’i 1700-1800

Lonomakahiki - grandson to ‘UmiLonomakahiki - grandson to ‘Umi Keawe great grand nephew of LonomakahikiKeawe great grand nephew of Lonomakahiki Alapa’inui rules and moves government from Kailua to Kohala, Alapa’inui rules and moves government from Kailua to Kohala,

due to the proximity of Kohala to Maui, Alapai attacks Maui due to the proximity of Kohala to Maui, Alapai attacks Maui Kekaulike - Ruler of Maui attacks Hawaii after Maui is attack by Alapa’IKekaulike - Ruler of Maui attacks Hawaii after Maui is attack by Alapa’I

Kalani’opu’u grandson of Keawe leads a revolt against Alapa’i Kalani’opu’u grandson of Keawe leads a revolt against Alapa’i son, Keaweòpala. Kalaniòpuù wages war against Maui and son, Keaweòpala. Kalaniòpuù wages war against Maui and during this time meets Captain Cook on his first visit to the during this time meets Captain Cook on his first visit to the Islands. Kalaniòpuù meets Cook again when he anchors at Islands. Kalaniòpuù meets Cook again when he anchors at Kealakekua the next year. It is during a kidnap attempt Kealakekua the next year. It is during a kidnap attempt against Kalaniòpuù, who was meant to be ransom for a against Kalaniòpuù, who was meant to be ransom for a stolen cutter, that Cook is killed. At Kalaniòpuù's death, he stolen cutter, that Cook is killed. At Kalaniòpuù's death, he passes his kingdom to his son Kiwalaò but bequeaths his war passes his kingdom to his son Kiwalaò but bequeaths his war god, Kukaìlimoku, to his nephew Kamehameha.god, Kukaìlimoku, to his nephew Kamehameha.

Kamehameha IKamehameha I

Kamehameha I : Pai'ea Kamehameha I : Pai'ea Life: 1758? - May 8 Life: 1758? - May 8 1819 Royal Reign: 1819 Royal Reign:

1810 - May 8 1819 1810 - May 8 1819 King Kamehameha is King Kamehameha is well known for being well known for being the first Hawaiian King the first Hawaiian King on written record to on written record to have unified the have unified the Hawaiian Islands under Hawaiian Islands under single ruler in 1810.single ruler in 1810.

When he was born, he When he was born, he was taken to be raised was taken to be raised by his uncle in Pololu.by his uncle in Pololu.



Ali’I 1700-1800 (cont.)Ali’I 1700-1800 (cont.)

Kamehameha battles Kiwalaò, Kiwalaò's brother Kamehameha battles Kiwalaò, Kiwalaò's brother Keoua, and their uncle Keawemauhili at Mokuòhai. Keoua, and their uncle Keawemauhili at Mokuòhai. Kiwalaò is killed by Kamehameha's ally Kiwalaò is killed by Kamehameha's ally Keèaumoku; Keoua and Keawemauhili escape, Keèaumoku; Keoua and Keawemauhili escape, returning to Kaù and Hilo.returning to Kaù and Hilo.

1791 1791 Seeking to conquer all of Hawaiì Island, Seeking to conquer all of Hawaiì Island, Kamehameha heeds the advice of a high priest and Kamehameha heeds the advice of a high priest and buildsbuilds Pu Pu`̀ukoholaukohola, a large heiau dedicated to his war , a large heiau dedicated to his war god, Kukaìlimoku. Invited to the dedication god, Kukaìlimoku. Invited to the dedication ceremonies, his remaining rival Keoua is killed on ceremonies, his remaining rival Keoua is killed on arrival by Keèaumoku. Keoua's death and sacrifice arrival by Keèaumoku. Keoua's death and sacrifice cement Kamehameha's rule.cement Kamehameha's rule.1794 1794 Kamehameha Kamehameha reconquers Maui after uniting Hawaiì Island under reconquers Maui after uniting Hawaiì Island under his rule.his rule.

PuuPuu Kohola Kohola heiauheiau sits atop the hill sits atop the hill for which it is named. The rocks to for which it is named. The rocks to build this heiau came from Pololu build this heiau came from Pololu

Valley 25+ miles Valley 25+ miles



Painting by Herb Kane depicting Painting by Herb Kane depicting the Building of this Heiauthe Building of this Heiau



The arrival of KeouaThe arrival of Keoua



Heiau TodayHeiau Today



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Hawaiian History