The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-04-09
Early Days Oh Hawaii

lOl1 VI iAS ~ ~ IN "a VI ~ ~ ~
ment in different countries has gene
rally been that of a kingdom or mon
archy, with the power vested some
times entirely in the king or queen,
and sometimes somewhat limited by
councils. The members of these coun-
ellis being generally appointed by the
king. The king was usually one who
in the first instance acquired control
of the government by conquest, and
thereafter a son or a daughter would
succeed him by right of birth or by
the king appointing a successor.
Under that form of government the
power came from the king and not
from the people, and is called auto
cratic, not being responsible to the
people.
1t is in comparatively recent years
that the idea has prevailed in some
countries that people should govern
themselves by choosing their own rul-
er, and electing representatives to
make the laws which should control
the ruler and the government. This
form of government is termed a repre-
sentative or democratic government,
and. is generally called a Republic, the
source of power being from below,
HUN lht pCODlN, anu hOl Nv u
er.
Until very recently the people, as
far as the voting public is concerned,
has meant only the men eligible to
vote. The most recent developments in
the line of popular government have
been in extending the franchise to
women.
1t is the object of our organization
to bring about this modern improve
ment here.
The following is a brief outline of
the early days of Hawaii, showing the
important offices filled by women in
the government, how much authority
they had, how wisely and efficiently
they ruled AMI the respect shown
them.
1t is taken from several histories Of
Hawaii.
The social and political history of
Hawaii is divided into three periods.
The first, all events prior to the dis
covery of the islands by Capt. James
Cook in 1878. The second ends with
the arrival of the American mission
aries in 1920 and includes the con
quest and the remarkable reign or
Kamehameha 1, the destruction of the
Tabu system and of idolatry, and the
first acquaintance of the people with
the Western civilization. Third, con-
tinues to the present time.
There are no records or written his
tory of the earliest days before Captd
aCook, the only information being
legends and traditions which were
handed down from mouth to mouth
.fbro,ipb many ponaratiODs
In the earliest days the people were
divided into three general classes
the nobility, the priests and the COM
mon people.
The throne was hereditary in the
ruling family out the sovereign had
It, within his power to name his
successor, failing which, the chiefs
chose a king from among those of
highest rank. Vast and irresponsible
power was in the hands of the ruling
classes. The king was owner of all
the land, and of ever the fish In the
sea. The head chiefs were his bene~
ficiaries dependent on them were
the lesser chiefs, the landlords, and
under these the common people were
tenants at will"
The king was the chief magistrate
and the various chiefs had inferior
Jurisdiction in their own territories
beng arbitrator in all quarrels among
their own people. On the death OF a
chief his lands reverted to the king
or the governor of the island. He
could nominate his son or his wife or
any other person to succeed to his
districts, but the appointment had to
be confirmed by the king or governor
before the individual could take pos
session. The police, was the body OF
retainers that surrounded the king or
chiefs. Prior to Kamehameha's con-
quest, a king governed each island
All the land was taxed at will, to
contribute to the support of the king
and his court. Special levies at any
time and for any amount the king
added at his pleasure.
The taxes consisted of,-fsh, hogs,
dogs, fowl, potatoes, yams, taro, ku-
kui nuts for torches, mats, kappa,
canoes, fishing nets, feathers for
cloaks and helmets, c~alabashes, and
later sandal-wood, and still later
money. There vas also a labor tax,
men having to work a certain number
of days of every month cultivating the
land for the king aid chiefs.
The poor were oppressed without
mercy.
The house or front yard of the king
or governor was the usual court OF
justice. Judgment was seldom given
till both parties were heard face to
face. In the midst of a circle of PEG
pie stood a calabash of water-on one
side of it sat the men accused of
crimes-a priest offered a prayer, and
the suspected culprits one by one,
held both hands, with fingers spread,
over the calabash, while the priest
looked steadily at the face of the wa
ter. If the water trembled, the cul-
prit was guilty. There were practi-
cally no degrees of punishment, al
though offenders were sometimes
banished to another island, put adrift
in a leaky boat, and sometimes killed
at night when asleep. Death was the
common penalty.
II 20. IA,4I Co., n lr,-nA \ N