TENURE OF LANDS. 
415 
cuted, and to whom he pays a regular rent or tax, 
according to the size of the island, or the advan¬ 
tages it may possess. Each island is separated 
into a number of permanent divisions, sometimes 
fifty or sixty miles in extent. In Hawaii there are 
six, Kohala, Kona, &c. Each of the large divi¬ 
sions is governed by one or two chiefs, appointed 
by the king or by the governor, and approved by 
the former. These large divisions are divided into 
districts and villages, which sometimes extend five 
or six miles along the coast; at others, not more 
than half a mile. A head man, nominated by 
the governor, usually presides over these vil¬ 
lages, which are again subdivided into a number 
of small farms or plantations. The names of these 
are generally significant; as Towahai , the waters 
broken, from a stream which runs through the 
district, and is divided near the sea ; Kairua , two 
seas, from the waters of the bay being separated 
by a point of land, &c. 
Although this is the usual manner in which the 
land is distributed, yet the king holds personally a 
number of districts in most of the islands, and 
several of the principal chiefs receive districts 
directly from the king, and independent of the 
governor of the island in which they are situated. 
The governor of the island pays over to the 
king annually, or half yearly, the rents or taxes 
required by the latter. These he receives from 
the chiefs under him, who generally pay in the 
produce of the soil. Sometimes the king requires 
a certain sum in Spanish dollars, at other times 
in sandal wood. 
This, however, is only a modern regulation, 
introduced since they have become acquainted 
with the use of money, and the value of sandal 
