The original rulers of the Hawaiian islands (''noho
aliʻi
The aliʻi were the traditional nobility of the Hawaiian islands. They were part of a hereditary line of rulers, the ''noho aliʻi''.
The word ''aliʻi'' has a similar meaning in the Samoan language and other Polynesian languages, and in Māori ...
o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻAina'') were a line of
native Hawaiians who were independent monarchs of various subdivisions of the land and
islands of Hawaii
The following is a list of the islands in Hawaii. The state of Hawaii, consisting of the Hawaiian Islands, has the fourth-longest ocean coastline of the 50 states (after Alaska, Florida, and California) at 750 miles (1,210 km). It is the o ...
. Their genealogy is traced to Hānalaʻanui and others.
The caste system of
ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii is the period of Hawaiian history preceding the unification in 1810 of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great. Traditionally, researchers estimated the first settlement of the Hawaiian islands as having occurred sporadicall ...
an society was established around 1200 AD and separated the people into 4 distinct ranks that were all below the supreme ruler (''ali‘i nui'') of the island. The ''ali‘i nui'' would distribute the land to the lower ranking chiefs who would run the land and collect offerings and taxes. The ''ali‘i nui'' would also ultimately be responsible for the sacred kapu, a system of rules designed to control social order. The ''noho ali‘i'' were known for their brightly colored and intricately constructed battle regalia of feathered capes and helmets called a mahiole (helmet) and ʻahu ʻula (cloak or cape).
History
The history of the ancient
Polynesians was passed down through oral genealogy chants that were recited at both formal and family functions. The genealogy of the high chiefs could be traced back to the period believed to be inhabited by gods. The ''pua ali‘i'' were considered to be living gods.
Sometime before 600, the first Polynesians began to settle the islands. By about 1000, settlements founded along the perimeters of the islands were beginning to cultivate their own foods in gardens, and by 1500, they would begin to spread inward to the interiors of the islands and religion began to be more emphasised.
A
Tahitian priest named Pā‘ao is said to have brought a new order to the islands around 1200. The new order included new laws and a new social structure for the islands separating the people into classes. The ''Ali‘i Nui'' was the king, with his ''‘aha kuhina'' just below him. The ''
ali‘i'' were the royal nobles with the ''
kahuna
''Kahuna'' is a Hawaiian language, Hawaiian word that refers to an expert in any field. Historically, it has been used to refer to doctors, surgeons and dentists, as well as priests, ministers, and sorcerers.
Background
A ''kahuna'' may be ver ...
'' (priests) below them, the ''maka‘āinana'' (commoners) next, and the ''kauā'' as the lowest social caste.
Land division
Land was divided up in strict adherence to the wishes of the ''Ali‘i Nui''. The ''mokupuni'' (island) was split into several ''ʻāpana'' districts with boundaries running from the highest mountain peak to the beach and about a mile out to sea. Each district was ruled by an ''Aliʻi ʻAikapana'' appointed by the ruling chief (''Alii 'Aimoku''). The ''
'apana'' were further split into ''ahupua'au'', named after the boundary altar where local taxes were collected during the
Makahiki
The Makahiki season is the ancient Hawaiian New Year festival, in honor of the god Lono of the Hawaiian religion.
It is a holiday covering four consecutive lunar months, approximately from October or November through February or March. The focu ...
. An ''ahupua'au'' was ruled by an ''Alii 'Ai Ahupua'a'' and managed by a headman called a ''
Konohiki
A ''konohiki'' is a headman of a land division or ahupuaʻa of the Kingdom of Hawaii who administered the land ruled by an aliʻi chief.
Background
The lands of the ruling chiefs of Hawaii were divided into radial divisions of land when possible. ...
''.
Furthermore, each ''ahupua'a'' was cut into smaller slivers of land (''
'Ili Ahupua'a''), each ruled by an ''Alii 'Ai 'Iliahupua'a''. These were the divisions of land which belonging to commoners (''maka'ainana''). Although the Chiefs were the formal owners, the commoners were their tenants and were given use of the land.
Duties and responsibilities
The ''ali‘i nui'' were responsible for making sure the people observed a strict ''
kapu'' (a code of conduct relating to taboos). The system had rules regarding many aspects of Hawaiian social order, fishing rights, and even where women could eat. After the death of
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I (; Kalani Paiea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiikui Kamehameha o Iolani i Kaiwikapu kaui Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea; – May 8 or 14, 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the conqueror and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Th ...
the system was abolished, and the
Hawaiian religion
Hawaiian religion refers to the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of native Hawaiians, also known as the kapu system. Hawaiian religion is based largely on the tapu religion common in Polynesia and likely originated among the Tahitia ...
was also abandoned.
Regalia and privilege
The ali‘i had a number of specific items, tokens and other regalia that identified them as divine, powerful, high ranking and wealthy by ancient Hawaiian standards. Many of these items were status symbols for their rarity, high value, or magnificence.
The regalia was also designed to emulate European royalty after foreign contact was established on a regular basis.
The
mahiole
Hawaiian feather helmets, known as ''mahiole'' in the Hawaiian language, were worn with feather cloaks (ʻahu ʻula). These were symbols of the highest rank reserved for the men of the ''alii'', the chiefly class of Hawaii. There are examples o ...
(helmet) and
ʻAhu ʻula
The ''ʻAhu ʻula'' ( feather cloak in the Hawaiian language), and the '' mahiole'' (feather helmet) were symbols of the highest rank of the chiefly ''aliʻi'' class of ancient Hawaii. The feathered cloaks and capes provided physical protection ...
(cloak or cape) were the right of only the highest ranking chiefs.
They were created using intricate feather crafting in designs to represent the divinity of the chiefs as well as their power.
A single ʻahu ʻula took thousands of birds to supply feathers.
The regalia were worn only during battle or ceremonial acts.
On his contact with the islands,
Captain James Cook
James Cook (7 November 1728 Old Style date: 27 October – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and ...
was given several ʻahu ʻula and a mahiole as gifts from
Kalaniʻōpuʻu
Kalaniōpuu-a-Kaiamamao (c. 1729 – April 1782) was the aliʻi nui (supreme monarch) of the island of Hawaiʻi. He was called ''Terreeoboo, King of Owhyhee'' by James Cook and other Europeans. His name has also been written as Kaleiopuu.
Bio ...
.
The Niho Palaoa is a
sperm whale ivory tooth carved for the use of the ruling chiefs. It would be worn, suspended by finely coiled human hair and, when worn, is called a ''
lei niho palaoa
A ''lei niho palaoa'' is a Hawaiian neck ornament traditionally worn by ''aliʻi'' (chiefs) of both sexes. The 19th century examples are most commonly made of a whale tooth carved into a hook-shape suspended by plaited human hair.
The symbolism ...
''.
The
royal standard
In heraldry and vexillology, a heraldic flag is a flag containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices used for personal identification.
Heraldic flags include banners, standards, pennons and their variants, gonfalons, guidons, and ...
of the ali‘i was the
kāhili
A ''kāhili'' is a symbol of the aliʻi chiefs and families of the Hawaiian Islands. It was taken by the Kamehamehas as a Hawaiian royal standard and used by the Royal Families to indicate their lineage.
History
The ''kāhili'' has long been ...
, a symbol of the ruling chiefs.
It was a stem of bundled feathers that were carried by attendants.
References
External links
ulukau.org
{{authority control
Hawaii culture
Medieval rulers
Ancient Hawaii
Noble titles
Hawaiian nobility