31 II A W A I I A N G R O U P. 



handed down from their ancestors. These men often prophesied that 

 judgment would follow if these were neglected ; but, notwithstanding, 

 as may readily be supposed, bad rulers contrived to evade the taboos 

 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 

 Mokus 

 Thalanas 

 Ahupnaas 

 His . 



into Mokus. 



Thalanas, or counties. 

 Ahupnaas, or townships. 

 His, or plantations. 

 Moos, or small farms. 



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



