Ruling chiefs of Hawaii

The rulers of the Hawaiian islands (noho aliʻi o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻAina) are a line of native Hawaiians who were independent rulers of various subdivisions of the land and islands of Hawaii. Their genealogy is traced to Hānalaʻanui and others. The caste system of ancient Hawaiian society was established around 1200 AD and separated the people into 4 distinct ranks that were all below the supreme ruler (ali‘i nui) of the island. The ali‘i nui would distribute the land to the lower ranking chiefs who would run the land and collect offerings and taxes. The ali‘i nui would also ultimately be responsible for the sacred kapu, a system of rules designed to control social order. The noho ali‘i were known for their brightly colored and intricately constructed battle regalia of feathered capes and helmets called a mahiole (helmet) and ʻahu ʻula (cloak or cape).

The history of the ancient Polynesians was passed down through oral genealogy chants that were recited at both formal and family functions. The genealogy of the high chiefs could be traced back to the period believed to be inhabited by gods. The pua ali‘i were considered to be living gods. Sometime between 1 and 600, the first Polynesians began to settle the islands. By about 1000, settlements founded along the perimeters of the islands were beginning to cultivate their own foods in gardens, and by 1500, they would begin to spread inward to the interiors of the islands and religion began to be more emphasised.

A Tahitian priest named Pā‘ao is said to have brought a new order to the islands around 1200. The new order included new laws and a new social structure for the islands separating the people into classes. The ali‘i nui was the king, with his ‘aha kuhina just below them. The ali‘i were the royal nobles with the kahuna (high priest) below them, the maka‘āinana (commoners) next with the kauā below them as the lowest ranking social caste.

Land was divided up in strict adherence to the wishes of the Ali‘i Nui. The island was called the mokupuni and was split into several Kapana. The Kapana (district) parameters ran from the highest mountain peak down to about a mile out to sea. These divisions were ruled by an Aliʻi ʻAikapana, who would have been appointed by the ruling chief (Alii 'Aimoku). Each of these Kapana were further split into Ahupua'au, named after the dividing boundary alter where taxes were collected for each area during the Makahiki. And each Ahupua'a was ruled by an Alii 'Ai Ahupua'a.

...
Wikipedia