. The paradise of the Pacific: the Hawaiian Islands [electronic resource] . claimed descent from the gods,and were allied with invisible powers. In supportof this they compared their stature and physiquewith the common people, which was striking proofof what they said. As late as the fifteenth andsixteenth centuries Hawaii boasted of such kingsas Kiha, Liloa, Umi, and Lono, each eight or ninefeet in height, and correspondingly broad of shoul-der and girth. Beyond these rises the giganticfigure of Kana, the son of Hina, whose height wasmeasured by paces. The chiefs were the sole owners of the s
. The paradise of the Pacific: the Hawaiian Islands [electronic resource] . claimed descent from the gods,and were allied with invisible powers. In supportof this they compared their stature and physiquewith the common people, which was striking proofof what they said. As late as the fifteenth andsixteenth centuries Hawaii boasted of such kingsas Kiha, Liloa, Umi, and Lono, each eight or ninefeet in height, and correspondingly broad of shoul-der and girth. Beyond these rises the giganticfigure of Kana, the son of Hina, whose height wasmeasured by paces. The chiefs were the sole owners of the soil, andconsidered not only that the land was theirs, butall which grew upon it, the fish swimming inthe sea, the time and the production of thoseunder them. This was according to the beliefthat the king, of superior birth, naturally ownedeverything. He allowed certain portions to beheld by his chiefs in trust, on the condition thatthey render him tribute and military these chiefs in turn divided their territoryamong under-chiefs, who in a smaller way paid a. HAWAIIAN CHIKF WITH 1 KAtHEU IIELMKT A PICTUBESqUE PEOPLE, 31 like return to them that they gave the divisions and sub-divisions never reachedto the toiler^ the slaves of the soil, who did thebrunt of the work, and must feel amply rewardedif privileged to live as poor tenants. The head chief of an island was styled moiy andhis prestige and power were usually inherited. Ofso much importance was he, that when he wentabroad he was attended by a body-guard, the fore-most of which bore plumed staffs of bright he go by canoe, his sails were painted red,and he was the only person who could wear thefeather cloak and helmet. The common peoplewere expected to prostrate themselves on the groundas he and his retinue passed. It was the signingof his death-warrant for a common person to re-main standing at the mention of the kings name,at the mere taking past him of the monarchs food,water, or raiment
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidparadiseofpacifi00brow
