| Polynesian Caste system | | | | make the feather cloaks of the ali'i, and canoe builders. |
| Tribal Polynesian culture and society evolved into rigid | | | | Soon, entire islands began to specialize in certain skilled |
| castes in ancient Hawaii. Ancient Hawaiians were born | | | | trades. Oahu became the chief kapa (tapa bark cloth) |
| into specific social classes and did not have the ability | | | | manufacturer. Maui became the chief canoe |
| to move into another, except in the case of falling into | | | | manufacturer. The island of ancient Hawaii exchanged |
| outcast status. Each Hawaiian class had assigned | | | | bales of dried fish and had contact throughout |
| duties and responsibilities to the greater Hawaiian | | | | Polynesia. |
| society. These Polynesian Hawaiian classes were | | | | Kauwa, the Hawaiian outcast or slave class. |
| more severe then the tribal Polynesians where some | | | | This class consisted primarily of people who were |
| movement was allowed, such as a commoner | | | | considered to be of low birth and thus born without |
| becoming a priest. | | | | mana. They were not allowed to move up in the caste |
| The Ancient Hawaiian Classes (in order of social | | | | system or improve their conditions. The mingling of |
| status) | | | | members from other caste groups with the Kauwa |
| Alii, the Hawaiian royal class.This class consisted of the | | | | was strictly prohibited by kapu. This caste also included |
| high and lesser chiefs of the realms. They governed | | | | prisoners captured in times of war. These prisoners |
| with divine power called mana and had the right to | | | | forced to serve the ali'i or were more often used for |
| wear certain feathers and protective capes. The Alii's | | | | sacrifice at the luakini heiau. Crushing of bones with |
| were a driving force behind the frequent warring | | | | club weapons or strangulation was common. |
| throughout the Hawaiian islands as they contrived to | | | | The ancient Hawaiian caste fueled a feudal system |
| extend their domains. Commoners were often required | | | | relative to feudal systems found in Europe circa A.D. |
| to prostrate themselves in their presents. They | | | | 1000. Ali'i gave lesser ali'i parcels of land who would in |
| possessed the power to put a Kapu, a ban on | | | | turn govern over them. The lesser ali'i divided the land |
| someone or something. | | | | into plots to be farmed and cultivated by maka'ainana |
| Kahuna, the Hawaiian priestly class. | | | | families. Harvests were returned to the lesser ali'i, each |
| This class consisted of the priesthood that tended the | | | | taking a portion before being sent to the supreme ali'i. |
| temples and conducted religious activities in the villages. | | | | Polynesian Feudalism |
| Kahuna's possessed the ability (along with Aliis) to | | | | Feudalism is generally the system in place before |
| place a kapu on places and things, forbidding | | | | evolvement into a nation state. Ancient Hawaii has |
| commoners. Scientists and exceptional navigators also | | | | often been called tribal. This is probably a misnomer. |
| were deemed to have kahuna status. Akamia | | | | The state of Hawaiian organization when Capt. James |
| advisors would be considered Kahunas. A kahuna nui | | | | Cook arrived had developed past tribalism, imagine a |
| was a high priest. | | | | system of slaves (kauwa), peasants (maka'ainana), |
| Maka'ainana, the Hawaiian commoner class. | | | | knights (kao warriors), priests (kahuna), Dukes (lesser |
| This class consisted of the farmers, fishermen, bird | | | | alii) and kings (alii) in a Polynesian setting. However, the |
| catchers, weapons makers, craftsmen and their | | | | term "Polynesian tribal Hawaii" could be applied to an |
| families. In a feudal Polynesian society, they were | | | | earlier time before chaste systems and economic |
| charged with laboring for the overall economy. Ancient | | | | specialization had occurred. I would consider this to be |
| Hawaiian economy became complex over time. | | | | the state of affairs during the time of Polynesian |
| People began to specialize in specific skills. Generations | | | | expansion and settlement in Hawaii. Think of the |
| of Hawaiian families became committed to certain | | | | ancient "barbarian" tribes of Europe before the fall of |
| careers: roof thatchers, house builders (tiki huts!), stone | | | | the Ancient Roman empire. (Northern Europe c.200 B.c. |
| grinders, weapons makers, bird catchers who would | | | | to c.900 A.D.). |