414 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
favourites, called Punahele, who join in his amuse¬ 
ments and occupations, except in the affairs of 
government, with which they seem to have no 
concern. When in a state of inebriation, all marks 
of distinction were lost, but at other times even 
these favourites conducted themselves towards 
their sovereign with great respect. I have often 
seen Kapihe and Kekuanaoa, the two who accom¬ 
panied Rihoriho to England, come into his pre¬ 
sence, and wait without speaking, whatever their 
business might be, till he should address them, 
and then continue standing until requested by him 
to sit down. 
In some respects, the government resembles the 
ancient feudal system of the northern nations. 
During many periods of their history, not only 
the separate islands, but the larger divisions of 
some of them, have been under the government 
of independent kings or chiefs ; and it does not 
appear that until the reign of Rihoriho, the late 
king, they were ever united under one sovereign. 
The king is acknowledged in every island as the 
lord and proprietor of the soil by hereditary right, 
or the laws of conquest. When Tamehameha had 
subdued the greater part of the islands, he dis¬ 
tributed them among his favourite chiefs and war¬ 
riors, on condition of their rendering him, not only 
military service, but a certain proportion of the 
produce of their lands. This also appears to have 
been their ancient practice on similar occasions, as 
the hoopahora or papahora , division of land among 
the ranakira or victors-, invariably followed the 
conquest of a district or island. 
Every island is given by the king to some high 
chief, who is supreme governor in it, but is subject 
to the king, whose orders he is obliged to see exe- 
