THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE. ?1 



well acquainted with the methods of warfare that had been successfully re- 

 sorted to by kiugs in former times, they were at all times among the king's 

 most respected advisors. 



Fortifications, as we understand them, were not a part of their scheme of 

 warfare, though sites for camps and defence.s were selected that possessed 

 natural advantages in the matter of their defense against the enemy. That 

 part of the population not actually engaged in battle was sent to stronghokls, 

 usually steep eminences or mountain retreats. In case of a rout the whole army 

 retired to these strongholds and valiantly defended them. In addition to these 

 natural forts, there were temples of refuge or sanctuaries to which those broken 

 in battle, or in peril of their lives in time of peace, might flee and escape the 

 wrath of all powers without. These temples were crude though permanent 

 enclosures, whose gates were wide open to all comers at all times. 



The Hawaiian warriors had many methods of attack and defense, depend- 

 ing usually on such matters as the strength of the enemy, the character of the 

 battlefield and the plan of campaign. Their battles were generally a succession 

 of skirmishes, the whole army seldom engaging in a scrimmaue. They usually, 

 though not always, made their attack in the da\-time, generally giving battle in 

 open fields, without the use of much real military strategy. Occasionally inter- 

 i.sland wars occurred in the form of naval battles in which several hundred canoes 

 wei'e used by both sides, liut as a general tiling their differences were settled on 

 laud. 



Practically the entire adult pupnlatinn was subject to a call to engage 

 in hostilities. Only those who were incapacitated through age or from in- 

 firmity were exempt from the summons of the recruiting officer sent out by the 

 king to gather warriors, when anything like an extensive military operation 

 was determined upon. If occasion required, a second officer was sent to forcibly 

 bring to camp those who refused to answer the call of the first. As a humiliation 

 and mark of their insubordination it was a custom to slit the ears of the offenders 

 and drive them to camp with ropes around their bodies. 



Preliminary to a Battle. 



The army stores were usuall\- lu'cpai-ed hcforehand. and each warrior was 

 expected to bring his own provisions and arms. Not infrequently notice of 

 an impending attack was sent to the opposing forces and a battlefield mutually 

 satisfactory to both forces selected for the engagement. The women took an 

 active share in the important part of the work connected with the commissary ; 

 often following their husbands and brothers onto the battlefield, carrying extra 

 weapons or calabashes of food. When the forces were assembled and all things 

 in readiness for the fray, an astrologer was consulted by the king. If the signs 

 were auspicious the battle would be undertaken. As the opposing armies ap- 

 proached each other, the king's chief priests were summoned to make the king's 

 sacrifice to his gods. Two fires being built between the armies, the priests 

 of each army made an ofl:'ering. usually a pig, which was killed by strangling. 

 When the various religious ceremonies were over the battle would begin, 



