Author Description

This book asserts that the founders of the Hawaiian Kingdom exercised their own agency and were not just acted upon by foreign powers. The ruling ali'i selectively appropriated tools and ideas from the West - including laws, religion, educational models, protocols, weapons, printing and map-making technologies, seafaring vessels, clothing, names, and international alliances. The result? A hybrid system based on an enduring tradition of Hawaiian governance and intended to preserve, strengthen, and maintain the lāhui. Using rare primary documents and "ʻŌiwi optics," the author offers a new point of reference for understanding the motivations, methods, and accomplishments of Hawai'i's great leaders. --front flap.