CLASSES OF SOCIETY. 
413 
districts or villages, and pay a regular rent for the 
land, cultivating it either by their own dependants 
and domestics, or letting it out in small allotments 
to tenants. This class is by far the most numerous 
body of chiefs in the island. Among the principal 
may be ranked Kamakau at Kaavaroa, Maaro at 
Waiakea, Haa at Waipio, Auae at Wairuku, and 
Kahanaumaitai at Waititi. They are generally 
called haku aina , proprietors of land. This rank 
would also include most of the priests, under the 
former dispensation. 
In the fourth rank may be included the small 
farmers, who rent from ten to twenty or thirty acres 
of land ; the mechanics, namely, canoe and house 
builders, fishermen, musicians, and dancers; 
indeed, all the labouring classes, those who attach 
themselves to some chief or farmer, and labour on 
his land for their food and clothing, as well as 
those who cultivate small portions of land for their 
own advantage. 
Though the chiefs did not receive that abject 
and humiliating homage which is frequently paid 
to superiors in barbarous nations, where the 
government is arbitrary, yet the common people 
always manifested a degree of respect to the 
chiefs, according to their rank or office. This, 
towards the sacred chiefs, amounted almost to 
adoration, as they were on no occasion allowed to 
touch their persons, but prostrated themselves 
before them, and could not enter their houses 
without first receiving permission. The behaviour 
among the chiefs was courteous, and manifested a 
desire to render themselves agreeable to each 
other ; while all observed a degree of etiquette in 
their direct intercourse with the king. He is 
generally attended by a number his courtiers or 
