History of Hawaii

Earliest Hawaiians  B.C. Polynesians who traveled to Hawaii by canoe Polynesians who traveled to Hawaii by canoe Brought pigs, dogs, chickens, sweet potatoes, taro, coconut, sugarcaneBrought pigs, dogs, chickens, sweet potatoes, taro, coconut, sugarcane

Earliest Hawaiians (cont’d)  No written language History, religion, and culture were all passed down through songs and chants History, religion, and culture were all passed down through songs and chants

Social Structure  King Each island had its own king Each island had its own king  Chief Minister (spiritual advisor to the King)  Ali’i Chiefs of villages, put in place by the King  Kahuna Craftsman of canoes, medicine, spells, etc. Craftsman of canoes, medicine, spells, etc.  Makaainana Commoners (the poor, the workers) Commoners (the poor, the workers) Largest group of people Largest group of people

“Kapu” System (Laws)  System of religious beliefs that held Hawaiian society together  Taboos, or things that should not be done Examples Examples Men and women could not eat togetherMen and women could not eat together Women could not eat bananas, coconutsWomen could not eat bananas, coconuts Fishing could only be done in certain seasonsFishing could only be done in certain seasons Men could only eat certain kinds of fish Men could only eat certain kinds of fish Shadow of a commoner could not fall on a ChiefShadow of a commoner could not fall on a Chief  Breaking these laws was punishable by death! Human sacrifice, losing your eyes, limbs, etc. Human sacrifice, losing your eyes, limbs, etc.

“European Discovery”  January 1778 Captain James Cook “discovers” the islands while searching for route from Alaska to Asia Captain James Cook “discovers” the islands while searching for route from Alaska to Asia First person to write about the Hawaiian’s riding waves on wooden boards (surfing!) First person to write about the Hawaiian’s riding waves on wooden boards (surfing!)

How did Capt. Cook die in Hawaii?

Kamehameha The Great  King Kamehameha I ( ) Learned combat from the British (Capt. Cook) Learned combat from the British (Capt. Cook) Conquered Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai Conquered Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai To conquer to Oahu, he built a huge fleet of canoes to carry his warriors To conquer to Oahu, he built a huge fleet of canoes to carry his warriors Landed at Waikiki, drove the Oahu’ans back to Nu’uanu PaliLanded at Waikiki, drove the Oahu’ans back to Nu’uanu Pali

Formation of Hawaiian Kingdom  After victory on Oahu, Kauai quickly agreed to peace  The 8 Hawaiian islands became one kingdom, with allegiance to Great Britain  American farmers begin moving to Hawaii in 1820s  5 more “Kamehamea’s”

Kamehameha IV ( )  During his reign, many foreigners (Americans) began trying to get Hawaii annexed to the United States These were sugarcane plantation owners These were sugarcane plantation owners Wanted more trade with the USA ($$$$$$) Wanted more trade with the USA ($$$$$$)

Kamehameha V ( ) The Civil War cut off sugar to the Northern states from the South The Civil War cut off sugar to the Northern states from the South Created huge demand for sugar in the USA (northern states)Created huge demand for sugar in the USA (northern states) People (Americans and Hawaiians) created a Hawaiian Legislature, limiting power of the King People (Americans and Hawaiians) created a Hawaiian Legislature, limiting power of the King Lots of racial trouble Lots of racial trouble Fights in the Legislature between native Hawaiians and white AmericansFights in the Legislature between native Hawaiians and white Americans Whites refused to speak “Hawaiian” in the legislature. Hawaiians refused to speak EnglishWhites refused to speak “Hawaiian” in the legislature. Hawaiians refused to speak English Last King of Hawaii who wasn’t elected Last King of Hawaii who wasn’t elected

Queen Lili’uokalani ( )  Struggled with fights between white businessmen and native Hawaiian politicians  Queen wanted to give more power back to the monarchy  White businessmen formed a militia (1500 men) and a new government (Committee of Safety) The Queen could have had them arrested for treason! The Queen could have had them arrested for treason!

Overthrow of Hawaii  1893 – Lili’uokalani wanted peace, so she didn’t arrest them Lili’uokalani wanted peace, so she didn’t arrest them However, the Committee of Safety’s militia took over the government buildings However, the Committee of Safety’s militia took over the government buildings The night before this, US marines landed on Oahu to “keep the peace” The night before this, US marines landed on Oahu to “keep the peace” The Queen was forced to accept the annexation of Hawaii to the United States The Queen was forced to accept the annexation of Hawaii to the United States  Native Hawaiians tried to revolt in 1895, which failed. The Queen was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment in a bedroom in I’olani Palace The Queen was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment in a bedroom in I’olani Palace