36 H A W A I I A N G R O U P. 



and rules, and the people had no means of redressing their grievances 

 but by rebellion, and placing other chiefs in their stead. 



There were means used to publish the laws. Kamehameha was 

 very particular in this respect; and there appears to have been no 

 complaint that he had ever violated them himself 



From the earliest periods of Hawaiian history, the tenure of lands 

 has been, in most respects, feudal. The origin of the fiefs was the 

 same as in the northern nations of Europe. Any chieftain who could 

 collect a sufficient number of followers to conquer a district, or an 

 island, and had succeeded in his object, proceeded to divide the spoils, 

 or " cut up the land," as the natives termed it. 



The king, or principal chief, made his choice from the best of the 

 lands. Afterwards the remaining part of the conquered territory was 

 distributed among the leaders, and these again subdivided their shares 

 to others, who became vassals, owing fealty to the sovereigns of the fee. 



The king placed some of his own particular servants on his portion 

 as his agents, to superintend the cultivation. The original occupants 

 who were on the land, usually remained under their new conqueror, 

 and by them the lands were cultivated, and rent or taxes paid. 



This division was often a work of great difficulty. In spite of any 

 wisdom and skill that could be exercised, it was no easy matter to 

 satisfy every one that the division had been fairly and equally made, 

 and before the business was finished, difficulties often arose, which 

 ended in some cases in rebellion, and in others in open war. When 

 every thing could be settled amicably, the whole body of retainers 

 became bound up with the interest of the king, having every induce- 

 ment to support him, for their property became safe or uncertain in 

 proportion as his authority was upheld. These landholders were the 

 persons on whom the king could call and rely on to support him in 

 his difficulties, aid him in his plans, or fight his battles. 



The manner in which these divisions took place, shows more 

 system than appears to have been practised in any other group in 

 Polynesia. 



An Island was divided 



into Mokus. 



Mokus 



" Tlialanas, or counties. 



Thalanas . 



" Ahupnaas, or townships 



Ahupnaas . 



" His, or plantations. 



His .... 



" Moos, or small farms. 



One of the latter divisions was frequently the property of a single 



