SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
7 
under one chief, but the seven inhabited Islands* had eacli 
its different Aree rahee or Eree Eree, literally chief of 
chiefs, or king, subordinate to whom there were Arees or 
chiefs of districts ; and under these again were minor chiefs, 
ruling the cultivators, who were generally called Kanakas or 
men. There was no distinct class of warriors, but every 
man took part in the quarrel of his chief, and even the 
women often went out to fight. A pitched battle usually 
terminated every dispute; and there is no tradition of any 
kind of treacherous conduct in war, or revenge exercised 
after an apparent reconciliation, to contradict the character 
for good faith and placability which has been generally 
given to these people. 
The weapons of the Sandwich Islanders were slings 
and spears, clubs and daggers, formed of hard wood, and 
rendered more formidable by their ornaments of bone, or 
the teeth of dogs or fish. When the chiefs took the field 
they adorned themselves with the war-helmet and cloak. 
This helmet is shaped like that of the ancient Greeks; it is 
framed of wicker-work and covered with the beautiful red 
feathers of theHehivi, or Drepanis Vestiarius-j-, mixed with 
* Hawaii, Maui, Morotoi, Oahu, Onehoa, Tauai, Tahoura. 
*f* Certhia Vestiarius of Lathom. The Nectarina Byronensis or Apapanea 
also furnishes red feathers. 
