AD 1200: Tahitian settlers in Hawai‘i set up social classes

Led by chief-priest Pa‘ao, Tahitian settlers in the Hawaiian Islands set up a stratified society of ali‘i (chiefs), kahuna (priests), koa (warriors), maka‘ainana (workers), and kaua (servants). The chiefdoms enforce kapu (taboos) and begin to extend their authority across the Hawaiian Islands, as the population grows.

Theme

Land and Water, Native Rights

Region

Hawai‘i