TENURE OF LANDS. 
417 
(komo hou) enter again on their land. But if 
unable to pay the required sum, and their land¬ 
lords are dissatisfied with the presents they have 
received, or think the tenants have neglected their 
farm, they are forbidden to return, and the land is 
offered to another. When, however, the produce 
brought is nearly equal to the required rent, and 
the chiefs think the occupants have exerted them¬ 
selves to procure it, they remit the deficiency, and 
allow them to return. Besides the stipulated rent, 
the people are expected to make a number of pre¬ 
sents to their chiefs, usually the first fish in season, 
from their artificial ponds, or from the sea, if the 
land they occupy be near the coast, together with 
the first-fruits of the trees and plantations. 
Though these are the usual conditions on which 
land is held, there are a number of districts, called 
aina ku pono , land standing erect, held free from 
all rent and taxes, except a few presents, the value 
and frequency of which are entirely optional with 
the occupier. These privileges of exemption from 
the established usage, were probably granted ori¬ 
ginally in reward for eminent services rendered the 
king, and they continue permanent, for should the 
king, on account of any crime, banish an individual 
holding one of these districts, the next occupant 
would enjoy all the privileges of his predecessor. 
The common people are generally considered as 
attached to the soil, and are transferred with the 
land from one chief to another. In recently 
conquered districts, they were formerly obliged to 
abide on the land which they cultivated, as slaves 
to the victors; at present, though they frequently 
remain through life the dependants or tenants of 
the same chief, such continuance appears on their 
part to be voluntary. No chief can demand any 
IV. E 
