1. Hawaii Political History

2. Overview Kapu System Kapu System Breakdown Woman and the Law
Kuhina Nui
Constitutional Monarchy

3. Kapu System Was the first Law system in Hawaii Kapu = “Forbidden”
Kapu only applied to the common people.
It was the start of the class system
Konohiki = Chief
Maka’ainana = Common Hawaiian.

4. Kapu System Breakdown Foreigners eroded the Kapu system over 40 years.
By breaking the Kapu and survived.
Keopulanai and Kaahumanu feasted with the men. (Sexes eat separate)
Both is very powerful women in Hawaii.
After Kapu, the Ali’i hardly lost any power.

5. Woman and the Law
Female Ali’i did not have the same rights as the men.
Though they had more rights then commoners.
Kaahumanu proposed the first laws in Hawaii
She made the first laws of Hawaii after the Kapu system.

6. Kuhina Nui
In 1824 the first laws were laid out by Kaahumanu who was called Kuhina Nui.
1. There shall be no murder
2. There shall be no theft
3. There shall be no boxing or fighting
4. There shall be no work or play on the Sabbath.

7. The Hawaiian Monarchy
Kamehameha the Great unified the islands 1795 was the start of the Monarchy.
Monarchy = supreme power held by a single person.
Later it became a Constitutional Monarchy = powers of the ruler is restricted by laws and/or constitutions.

8. Constitutional Monarchy
Later on, Kings of Hawaii made a Constitution to protect the Hawaiian people.
Sometimes the Constitution was meddled with by foreigners.
Bayonet Constitution.
After a while, the King was a figurehead of the government.

9. Comparing Constitutions
We will be looking at three constitutions: 1852, 1864, 1887.
Class will be divided in groups for each date
In each group will be dived into pro foreigner and pro Hawaiian.
Each group will get the full constitutions
Each person is in charge of summarizing the page.
List the parts that helps the Hawaiians. and list parts that helps the foreigners. (ie. Article 4 states that this will help the Hawaii because…)
Summarize the constitutions on chart paper.
Does it help the Hawaiians or foreigners.
Present the findings on both sides.