Following is a list of the sovereigns of Hawaii, with the dates and durations of their several governments, from the eleventh to the nineteenth century. It embraces only the rulers of the island of Hawaii, who eventually became the masters of the group. Until the reign of Kalaniopuu, which began in 1754, the dates are merely approximate:
| Pilikaeae, | from A.D. 1095 to 1120 |
| Kukohau, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1120 to 1145 |
| Kaniuhi, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1145 to 1170 |
| Kanipahu, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1170 to 1195 |
| Kalapana (including the usurpation of Kamaiole), | from,,,,A.D.,, 1195 to 1220 |
| Kahaimoelea, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1220 to 1260 |
| Kalaunuiohua, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1260 to 1300 |
| Kuaiwa, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1300 to 1340 |
| Kahoukapu, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1340 to 1380 |
| Kauholanuimahu, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1380 to 1415 |
| Kiha, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1415 to 1455 |
| Liloa, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1455 to 1485 |
| Hakau, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1485 to 1490 |
| Umi, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1490 to 1525 |
| Kealiiokaloa, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1525 to 1535 |
| Keawenui, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1535 to 1565 |
| Kaikilani and Lonoikamakahiki, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1565 to 1595 |
| Keakealanikane, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1595 to 1625 |
| Keakamahana, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1625 to 1655 |
| Keakealaniwahine, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1655 to 1685 |
| Keawe and sister, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1685 to 1720 |
| Alapanui, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1720 to 1754 |
| Kalaniopuu, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1754 to 1782 |
| Kamehameha I, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1782 to 1819 |
| Kamehameha II.—Liholiho, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1819 to 1824 |
| Kaahumanu regency, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1824 to 1833 |
| Kamehameha III.—Kauikeaouli, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1833 to 1854 |
| Kamehameha IV, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1854 to 1863 |
| Kamehameha V.—Lot, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1863 to 1872 |
| Lunalilo, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1872 to 1873 |
| Kalakaua, | from,,,,A.D.,, 1874 to —— |
Having thus briefly sketched the outlines of the prominent political events of the islands, the ancient religion of the Hawaiians will next be referred to; and as the tabu was no less a religious than a secular prerogative, it may properly be considered in connection with the priesthood. A knowledge of the power, scope and sanctity of the tabu is essential to a proper understanding of the relations existing in the past between the people and their political and religious rulers, and this great governing force will now claim our attention.
THE TABU.
Strictly speaking, the ancient tabu, or kapu, was a prerogative adhering exclusively to political and ecclesiastical rank. It was a command either to do or not to do, and the meaning of it was, “Obey or die.” It was common to the Polynesian tribes, and was a protection to the lives, property and dignity of the priesthood and nobility.
The religious tabus were well understood by the people, as were also the personal or perpetual tabus of the ruling families; but the incidental tabus were oppressive, irksome and dangerous to the masses, as they were liable to be thoughtlessly violated, and death was the usual penalty.
Everything pertaining to the priesthood and temples was sacred, or tabu, and pigs designed for sacrifice, and running at large with the temple mark upon them, could not be molested. It was a violation of perpetual tabu to cross the shadow of the king, to stand in his presence without permission, or to approach him except upon the knees. This did not apply to the higher grades of chiefs, who themselves possessed tabu rights.
