Hawaiian Marketplace

In the ancient history of Hawaii, the Big Island of Hawaii is believed to be the first island to be colonized by the Polynesians during the second or third century AD.

It seems plausible that by 1000 AD, groups of warring Tahitians had arrived and conquered the Marquesans, who were forced into servitude.

In the 12th century, a powerful Tahitian priest named Paao arrived on the Big Island of Hawaii. Paao established the “kapu” system, a practice of taboos that rigidly controlled all levels of social interaction.

Paao installed himself as the high priest, or “Kahuna”, and a Tahitian chief named Pili as the King. This lineage of royalty and priests established itself as the rulers of Hawaii for several hundred years.

Under this system, one powerful royal chief ruled each island. Land was distributed to all the chiefs below him. These chiefs, in turn allowed commoners to work the land, but not own it.

This feudal system existed for several centuries. The priests of the islands directed that temples, or “heiaus” be built on auspicious sites, and remains of these temples can still be found throughout the islands today.

Since there was no written Hawaiian language, ancient history was passed on to each new generation through chants and legends told by the priests. As the priests died off, so too, did the ancient knowledge of the ancestors.

Despite this, it is known that the history of the islands involved war and bloodshed, including human sacrifice, as opposing chiefs attempted to gain control of larger areas. In 1791, a great warrior named Kamehameha became the first leader to unite the island of Hawaii. By 1795, Kamehameha was also the sole chief of Maui, Molokai and Oahu.

And, by 1810, Kaui had agreed to accept his rule as well. For the first time, a single ruler governed the islands. Click here for more on Hawaii Ancient History.

Hawaii history is a bit like the creation of the islands themselves.
Born of volcanic action, Hawaii is part of a large group of islands called Polynesia–which means “many islands”. The Hawaiian islands are the remotest of any islands on earth.

Hawaii history is often seen as three distinct periods.

Ancient history starts with the arrival of Polynesians. Since the islands had never been a part of another continent, its earliest inhabitants had to travel at least two thousand miles over the ocean to reach the shores.

Archaeological evidence indicates that the first settlers arrived in Hawaii from the Marquesas Islands as early as the second or third centuries AD. These early settlers came equipped to stay, carrying with them dogs, pigs, goats, bananas, coconut palms and sugar cane.

The second, or middle period, started with the arrival of the European explorers. The first recorded arrival of westerners was in 1778, when Captain James Cook landed on the shores of Kauai. This era began a period where outside influences had great impacts on Hawaii history.

Hawaii’s entry to the U.S. was the start of the third chapter of its history. With the children of the original American missionaries leading the way, it was a period where business interests accumulated both land and political power. Ultimately, this led to the U.S. annexation of Hawaii in 1898.

For more on Hawaii history see the Hawaiian Historical Society.