Hawaii (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian: Aupuni Mōʻī o Hawaiʻi) is an independent kingdom located within the Hawaiian Islands. The present day kingdom is believed to have originated around the year 1200, when the current ali'i nui system was created by Tahitian explorers and settlers. By 1530 the largest section of the kingdom, the island of Hawai'i proper, was united into one consolidated kingdom, which would come to dominate the Hawaiian Islands in the centuries to come. Historians refer to this kingdom as the Chiefdom of Hawaii, to avoid confusion with the later kingdom that ruled over all the Hawaiian Islands, also known as the Kingdom of Hawaii.

The current government of Hawaii dates to around 1701, founded during the reign of the House of Keawe, or Hale o Keawe, founded by Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, son of Queen Keakealaniwahine. The laws and reformed laid down by Keawe II around this time would lay the foundation for the current state of Hawaii, while also ushering a period of expansion, exploration, and improvement across the islands, collectively known as the Lokahi Period.

In the early eighteenth century the Unification of Hawaii began, sparked by the opening of conflict between the Kingdom of Hawaii and the neighboring Kingdom of Maui, in what would later be known as the Kepaniwai War. This would become the first conflict in a series of wars that would eventually lead to the foundation of a unified kingdom years later.

History
The history of Hawaii describes the era of human settlement in the Hawaiian Islands. That history is believed to have begun sometime between 124 and 800 CE, around the time of the earliest Polynesian settlement on the Hawaiian Islands. Tahitian explorers found and began settling the area around the year 1200, which began the rise of the Hawaiian civilization. Hawaii would remain largely isolated from the rest of the world for the next five hundred years.

Chiefdom of Hawaii
Historians refer to the kingdom that ruled over the unified island of Hawai'i proper as the "Chiefdom of Hawaii", to avoid confusion with the later unified kingdom of all the Hawaiian Islands, also known by the Chiefdom's contemporary name; the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Chiefdom of Hawaii loosely describes the period of history from the settlement of Hawaii to the wars of unification, beginning in the eighteenth century. During this time Hawai'i proper was unified into a consolidated kingdom.

Origin
The Mokupuni o Hawaiʻi is said to have been named after Hawaiʻiloa, the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. Other accounts attribute the name to the legendary realm of Hawaiki, a place from which the Polynesian people are said to have originated, the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the gods and goddesses.

Around the year 1200 a Tahitian priest named Pā‘ao is said to have brought a new order to the islands, which reformed the previously existing society, and laid the foundation for the feudal society that would rule Hawaii for the next several centuries. The social structure was divided into classes, forming the basis of the caste system, and new laws were created to govern many elements of society. The islands of Hawaii were governed by the aliʻi nui, supreme high chiefs of an island and no others above them. The island of Hawai'i proper was often divided among various, usually warring, chiefs, which were not unified until around the sixteenth century.

Hawai'i Island
ʻUmi-a-Līloa is considered the first ruler of a unified Hawai'i Island, ruling around the turn of the sixteenth century. Under the control of ʻUmi-a-Līloa the island was divided into six districts, each ruled by aliʻi ʻaimoku, who were subordinate district aliʻi. These lesser chiefs remained largely autonomous, controlling their own respective territory, while nominally swearing loyalty to the Aliʻi nui.

ʻUmi-a-Līloa was succeeded by his son, Keli‘iokaloa, around the year 1530. As ruler of Hawai'i, Keli‘iokaloa sought to further centralize his family's control over the island, while also looking toward future expansion and conquest among the other Hawaiian Islands. Up to this point the low centralization had led to constant periods of conflict, often among relatives, who held subdivisions of the kingdom at large. Keli‘iokaloa, and his successors, sought to end the period of violence, by slowly replacing the warring chiefs and lowering their control, however this process was slow to catch on.

During Keli‘iokaloa's reign the seat of the high king would also be moved to Ka-luahine, on the southern coast of the island. Keli‘iokaloa sought to create a more fortified capital for the new kingdom, that would be the center of a new centralized government. Ka-luahine became home to the kingdom's meetings of the chiefs, which would be the foundation of the modern government that eventually developed.

Lokahi Period
By the late seventeenth century the framework set in place by earlier rulers of Hawai'i proper had developed into a loose, central government centered around the settlement of Ka-luahine, which by this time was believed to be the largest settlement on the island of Hawai'i. Despite conflicts over the past two centuries the island remained unified under the House of Keawe, or Hale o Keawe, founded by Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, son of Queen Keakealaniwahine.

In 1701 Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, also known as Keawe II, issued a series of laws and proclamations, ultimately seeking to create a centralized kingdom based around the island of Hawai'i. Ka-luahine was established as the home of semi-regular meetings of the chiefs of Hawai'i, to advise the king, create legislation, and benefit the kingdom as a whole, beginning what would be known as the "unity", or Lokahi Period. Keawe II's decrees greatly reformed the way subordinate chiefs operated within the kingdom, greatly reducing their power and ability to threaten the central government. Firstly, this consisted of new codes for taxation, requiring that a larger portion of funds and manpower be directly handed over to the high chief.

This reform directly contributed to the creation of a central army, consisting of men from across the island, although primarily from the king's own retinue. Keawe II ultimately envisioned outward expansion, having personally toured the Hawaiian Islands throughout much of his life. As such the king also promoted the expansion of ports and naval capabilities, creating a modern fleet of war canoes to rival the other kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands. Much of Keawe II's reign, however, was peaceful, leaving this fleet to help diminish crime and raiding among the islands, while also fostering trade and commerce.

The additional funds appropriated from the lesser chiefs of Hawai'i went to directly benefiting the lands and people the chiefs controlled. Specifically, the king ordered a rotational system of crop harvesting, and a shared ownership of the lands, which fell under his absolute control. This ensured that no chief could amass enough power to threaten the central government. Overall this reform also led to an expansion of farmlands and an overall greater yield of crops, with the central government receiving the largest yield.

As part of the Lokahi reforms, Keeaumoku Nui became the heir to Keawe II, despite being younger in age than Kalaninuiamamao, his brother. Despite being older, Kalaninuiamamao was ruled to be minor because of the distant relationship between his father and mother, unlike his brother Keeaumoku Nui, who was the son of Kalanikauleleiaiwi. Additionally Keeaumoku Nui's supremacy was solidified by his rank as a Piʻo chief, causing the noble class of Hawai'i to back him based on his prestige. Despite this, Kalaninuiamamao still swore loyalty to his father and brother, and was promised a large portion of land, principally consisting of the District of Kaʻū. This was all in an effort to enforce the new rules of succession laid down by Keawe II to limit infighting upon his descendants and across the island. Aside from the king, the two half-brothers became the two most powerful forces on the island, followed by Ahu-a-ʻI, Chief of Hilo, and father of Lonomaʻaikanaka, Keawe II's newest wife. Ahu-a-ʻI died later that year, and was succeeded by his niece, Ululani.

In 1706 King Keawe II unexpectedly fell ill. Sensing that he was close to death, he assembled the nobles once more and had them swear fealty to his son, Keeaumoku Nui. Keeaumoku Nui relinquished his title of Chief of Kona to his youngest brother, Kamehameha, in an attempt to appease the young and ambitious warrior. Kamehameha, already in possession of the valuable Waipio Valley, managed to seize control over the district of Hamakua through marriage with the new chieftess. Keawe II died in his sleep later in the year, and Keeaumoku Nui was crowned Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii. Before he died, Keawe II granted Kamehameha a prominent religious position, guardianship of the Hawaiian god of war, Kūkāʻilimoku. Although the most appropriate man for the position, due to his high prestige and mana, this led to a strain in the relationship between Kamehameha and his older brothers. Kamehameha used his new position to make a dedication to the gods instead of the new king, further worsening relations. When Kamehameha managed to lift the legendary Naha Stone, many began to flock to Kamehameha, claiming he was the fulfillment of prophecy, a notion that the king and other chiefs rejected strongly. Those who did defend the young chief, primarily his vassals and relatives, called Kamehameha the Unifier Ka Na`i aupuni.

Early Exploration
In 1704 a shipwreck appeared on the island, near Kailua, on the northern side of Hawaii. The local chief Kalani Kama Keʻeaumoku-nui sent a detachment of soldiers to investigate, and discovered to his surprise the ship was much larger than any ship ever seen in his lifetime. Of the surviving crew members of the ship, most were killed in a resulting brawl with Hawaiian men. The ship was raided and some equipment was seized, such as a few metal swords. Kalani Kama Keʻeaumoku-nui eventually pardoned the remaining survivors, who attempted to adapt to Hawaiian life. Over the course of the year most of the survivors had died or married into Hawaiian society, while some of the women in contact with the sailors began to contract lesions on their bodies (syphilis), and become outcasts of society or killed. During a religious ceremony at the end of the year the Chief of Kona presented one of the swords to Keawe II, who was immediately fascinated by the gift.

The Hawaiian Islands had been largely isolated up to this point, and this discover sparked the king's interest in exploration beyond the islands. Later that year, using traditional Polynesian navigational techniques, four groups set off in search of lands outside Hawaii. Of these groups, the most successful of which conducted a successful trade mission in Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, obtaining more information about islands to the west. The party reached Nihoa, a small island containing only a few forests, and later Mokumanamana, which they explored in search of Menehune people, but came up empty handed. They returned home by 1705, bringing this information to the king. During his lifetime the king would launch several more expeditions, a trend his successors would follow and greatly expand. By 1706 the king's expeditions had traveled to ten islands/atolls/mokupāpapa in the northwest, exploring several and trading with the other Hawaiian kingdoms on their return voyage. Around this time the Hawaiians reached Kalama Atoll (Johnston Atoll), which would later become an important stop on the way to the rest of Polyensia.

After the success of the previous expedition to the southwest, a second expedition was dispatched in 1707, although smaller due to the outbreak of war in the islands against Maui around this time. The group landed on Kalama Atoll again, before setting sail to the west. Due to the favorable currents and winds combined, the group managed to reach land (Marshall Islands) after about a month at sea. They followed an archipelago south before spending time on an island (Majuro), which they called Makana. Around this time a second group departed from Hawaii and proceeded directly south, eventually landing on an island (Kiritimati), where they rested and gather supplies. As they explored the island they found some temporary shelters and ruins already on the island, which they called Moena, before continuing south. They eventually landed on an island (Kiribati) populated by natives, and the group successfully conducted some trade before returning north, taking with them a few of the natives as emissaries.

Unification of Hawaii
The Unification of Hawaii was a civil war in the Hawaiian Islands over control of the entire island chain, beginning in the early eighteenth century. Sparked by the expansion of the island of Hawai'i Proper, this series of conflicts with the other independent kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands would ultimately lead to the creation of a unified state; the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Kepaniwai War
The many trade missions began by Keawe II, and later continued by his sons, had made Hawaii prosperous, but it also caught the attention of the Kingdom of Maui, Hawaii's neighbor to the northwest. In 1706 a trade mission on its return voyage was unexpectedly fired upon by Aliʻi nui Kekaulike, Moʻi of Maui. The king claimed that earlier in the year Hawaiians from Kona had raided his southern shore, and his attack was in retribution. Keeaumoku Nui, unaware of any actions conducted by his more reckless brother, denied the allegations, but was also hesitant to attack his neighbor. At this time Kekaulike's uncle Kaeokulani ruled Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi, whose combined forces would be difficult for the Hawaiians to match. Unbeknownst to the Hawaiian monarch, Kekaulike had also departed on a voyage to Kaua'i to visit his wife's home, taking a large portion of his army with him. When he stopped in Waimanalo on O'ahu a fight broke out between the king and his uncle, who claimed Maui for himself. Kamehameha eventually caught word of this from allies in Maui, and launched his own invasion without the support of the king.

Kamehameha managed to capture the island, defeating the relatively small garrison left behind. Keeaumoku Nui begrudgingly raised an army to aid his brother, planning to attack O'ahu early the following year with 10,000 men and 1,000 war canoes. on O'ahu, Kekaulike successfully defeated his uncle, but not without it taking a toll on his army. Unaware of the main invasion force still on Hawaii, Kekaulike split his army in half and immediately sailed to retake Maui, landing there the following year. Initially this army managed to beat back the Hawaiian army under Kamehameha. Kamehameha feigned retreat toward the south of the island, drawing out the enemy army. En route to O'ahu, Keeaumoku Nui landed near the site of this battle and marched with the Hawaiian reinforcements to Kamehameha's aid, successfully defeating the enemy forces in a decisive battle. Kekaulike was killed and sacrificed, and Keeaumoku Nui declared himself Aliʻi nui of Maui.

The following year, with Kekaulike having been killed in battle, Keeaumoku Nui established a tentative rule over the island of Maui. This claim was contested, however, by the late king's uncle, Kaeokulani, King of O'ahu, who launched a naval invasion of Maui early in the year. Around this time word reached Maui that the king's brother, Kalaninuiamamao. had raised his forces in rebellion, allying with the King of O'ahu, with support from the District of Puna and some supporters in Hilo. With the Hawaiian army split, Keeaumoku Nui suffered a minor defeat at the hands of Kaeokulani, and ultimately choose to withdraw and regroup on Hawaii. Kamehameha, likewise withdrew to the settlement of Kawaihae in Kona, where he began recruiting more warriors and training them for a second invasion.

A respected kahuna named Kapoukahi approached the chief and suggested he build a luakini heiau (sacrificial temple) to gain the favor of the war god Kūkaʻilimoku. Kamehameha agreed, and for most of the year remained in the city, tasking his men with the creation of the Puʻukoholā Heiau, meaning "Temple on the Hill of the Whale". The temple was built with no mortar and relatively quickly, with the red stones transported by a human chain about fourteen miles long, from Pololū Valley to the east.

In the meantime Kalaninuiamamao fought several skirmishes with his brother, the king. By remaining out of the fighting, preoccupied with building the temple and also guarding the north of the island from attack, Kamehameha managed to appear neutral in the conflict. In late 1708 Kalaninuiamamao traveled to Kawaihae to secretly negotiate an alliance with his brother against the king. However, when the chief arrived Kamehameha has his brother and his main supporters sacrificed. A battle broke out, however it was almost completely one sided, with the majority of Kalaninuiamamao's men coming to Kamehameha's support in the end.

A fleet from O'ahu eventually did arrive as the year was ending, but it was intercepted by the king off the coast of Kahaluu. In the ensuing Battle of Kahaluu, primarily a naval engagement between two of Hawaii's largest fleets, the technologically and numerically superior fleet of Keeaumoku Nui managed to secure victory, however, the king was wounded in the battle and ordered his men back to shore, allowing Kaeokulani to flee to Maui. Haae-a-Mahi, brother of the late Alapaʻinuiakauaua of Kohala fought for Kaeokulani in the battle and was discovered to have been killed. The king rewarded his cousin Kameʻeiamoku with the District of Puna, for his bravery shown during the naval battle.

The Hawaiian army recovered from the Battle of Kahaluu, and consolidated its forces for an invasion of Maui. As the army was preparing, Keeaumoku Nui fell ill from an infection of his wounds and died in early 1709. As a result Kamehameha was declared the Aliʻi nui of Hawaii, and took over sole command of the invasion. Kamehameha's war fleet landed in Kahului a few kilometers from the base of ʻĪao Valley. Kaeokulani army, largely consisting of loyal chiefs from Maui, blocked entrance into the ʻĪao valley, beginning the battle. In the ensuing battle so many men were killed in rapid succession that the "damming of the waters" was caused by the corpses floating in the river. Kaeokulani aws ultimately killed in battle by Kamehameha, causing his army to retreat. Those still loyal to the late Kaeokulani fled to O'ahu, where his son, Kahekili II, ascended to the throne. .

Kamehameha became Aliʻi nui of Maui, and began consolidating his rule over the island, beginning by calling the chiefs of the various districts of Maui to swear their loyalty to him. A series of skirmishes, mostly on sea, continued throughout the later half of the year, in an effort to secure control over Kahoolawe, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi. The skirmishes across the islands continued into the beginning of the following year, with Kahekili II targeting the islands of Kahoolawe, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi with numerous naval raids. The King of O'ahu was ultimately unable to launch a major invasion, and in 1710 when Kamehameha offered peace with O’ahu midway through the year, Kahekili II accepted. Kamehameha hoped to consolidate his rule over the newly conquered islands, and also give his army time to recover and replenish.

Pahikaua War
Following the conclusion of the Kepaniwai War, tensions had remained high between the Kingdom of Hawaii under Kamehameha and the Kingdom of O'ahu under Kahekili II. Kameʻeiamoku, Chief of Puna, one of the king's most trusted allies and advisers, who had been appointed the first Kuhina Nui in 1710, got into a disagreement with Kahekili II. The feud culminated in an ambush of Kameʻeiamoku while he was traveling, leading to his death and the theft of his prized metal sword. Although the king had likely been preparing and planning for war in the near future, the severity of this raid forced him to declare war immediately on O'ahu in late 1716, beginning the Pahikaua War, or Sword War.

In 1717 Kahekili II launched an invasion of neighboring Molokai, and King Kamehameha sailed for the island to repulse the invasion. Kahekili II was defeated in a costly battle and his army retreated west. Around the same time a second invasion force landed on Maui, led by Kahekili II's son, Kalanikūpule. The king's son managed to sway several chiefs of Maui to join his cause, and declared himself Chief of Maui. Throughout the rest of the year, while Kamehameha was in Molokai preparing to counterattack, several skirmishes would break out across Maui, mostly around the major cities on the island. The loyalist forces and the settled Hawaiians managed to secure Wailuku and Kahului, driving out the rebels from the capital. The rebels attempted to counterattack, but at the Battle of Wailhee a larger army from Kāʻanapali was successfully pushed back, stalling Kalanikūpule's advance. Instead the pretender secured Lahaina and declares it his capital, consolidating his forces in preparation to meet Kamehameha in battle.

Kamehameha returned to the island of Maui with the majority of his forces, capturing Lahaina and moving along the coast toward Kahului. Kalanikūpule fled east, but was caught at the Battle of Waikapu, where he aws defeated and captured, later scarified by the king. Similarly, the chiefs who had supported the rebellion were killed. Kahekili II raised an army on O'ahu, but before he has time to attack Maui, Kamehameha launched his own invasion. The ensuing Battle of Nuʻuanu began with Kamehameha's forces landing on the southeastern portion of Oʻahu near Waiʻalae and Waikiki. After spending several days gathering supplies and scouting Kahekili II's positions, Kamehameha's army advancing westward, encountering Kahekili II's first line of defense near a crater on the southern side of the island. The king split his army into two, sending one half in a flanking maneuver around the crater and the other straight at Kahekili II. Pressed from both sides, the Oʻahu forces retreated to Kahekili II's next line of defense near Laʻimi. While Kamehameha pursued, he secretly detached a portion of his army to clear the surrounding heights of the Nuʻuanu Valley, where Kahekili II had positioned a reserve force, hoping to ambush the Hawaiians. Kahekili II's main defense eventually fell apart, and he ordered his men through the Nuʻuanu Valley to the cliffs at Nuʻuanu Pali. Caught between the Hawaiian Army and a thousand foot drop, over 700 Oʻahu warriors either jumped or are pushed over the edge of the cliff. Kahekili II was captured soon after the battle and scarified, and Kamehameha declared himself King of O'ahu, and recoverd the stolen sword, which he returned to Kameʻeiamoku's son, Kepoʻokalani.

Reign of Kamehameha I
In the aftermath of the Kepaniwai War, Kamehameha I of Hawaii was now the most powerful leader in the islands. His actions would ultimately lay the foundation for the modern Kingdom of Hawaii, which was gradually united in the first few decades of his reign. Following the war with Maui, the ruling class of Maui was greatly shifted, with nobles who were reluctant to support Kamehameha having their power diminished, and those who supported the Hawaiians being elevated in Maui society. A vast amount of land previously owned by dissident or now deceased nobles was seized by the king, including essentially all of Lānaʻi and Kahoolawe. The king offered his veterans sections of the land for free if they agreed to move to the land with their families, leading to a colonization of the newly conquered islands by loyal Hawaiian families, and later others, who flocked to follow the migration of the army. The farming techniques from the island of Hawaii proper were transferred west, leading to a greater harvest the following year. On Kahoolawe the settlement of Hakioawa quickly grew into a town, while on Lānaʻi, Kahemano became the largest settlement on the island. The king himself traveled to Kahemano beach to do some fishing, declaring the spot the best place in Hawaii for fishing, leading to rapid settlement of the island. On Maui, towns such as Wailuku, Kahului, Lahaina, and Hana experienced a boom in population, and the king ordered that ports be constructed in these towns in the fashion of Hawaii proper, to further facilitate trade between the islands, and to facilitate the growing and recovering Hawaiian war fleet.

Numerous infrastructural projects would be ordered or designed by the king and his advisers during this time, including a royal road, which would run all around the length of the island of Hawaii. War with O'ahu in the Pahikaua War would temporarily stall these domestic efforts, however after the war they continued with renewed vigor. The king ordered a similar policy to the one used in Maui following the conclusion of the war. Specifically the king again seized almost all of land from the local chiefs, many of whom were captured and killed, and later replaced by loyal chiefs. The land was given to veterans of the war and their families, leading to a migration to the island. On the southern end of O'ahu the king decided to stay for a time and personally oversee the construction of a new settlement, on the foundation of the many villages surrounding the harbor. Collectively known as Honolulu, the settlement became heavily populated with migrating families.

Later in 1718 the king returned to Kaluahine, where he began working on an ambitious building project, hoping to create a more orderly city. On the south end of the city he brought several thousand workers from across the islands to clear forests and level the area. The king began working with several advisers and builders to design a new type of settlement. The king claimed that he had had a dream in which massive homes lined the shore, and did not catch fire, and he ordered that chiefs from across the islands to work on this idea, beginning to invest in new building techniques and designs. The solution was to have stone formations laid down in a grid-like fashion to avoid the congestion of huts and shacks that dotted the coastline around this time.

Buildings were to be built on these foundations, allowing them to be bigger than most across the islands. The settlement also would have a new heiau on its outskirts, as well as a large square in the center of the town. Here a square building with an open area in the center was planned, which would be used as a meeting place for people living in the area, connected to a marketplace and other important structures. One of the king's builders would make an important discovery around this time, when he managed to fashion a coral brick using metal tools from Kona. The king saw the benefit of the building material, and ordered that workers begin harvesting bricks from the many beaches of Hawaii, to be used on the main building of his new town. Similarly the king ordered that a new home for himself and his family be included within the grid, made from these new materials.

Expansion in Polynesia
The earlier expeditions begun by Keawe II and his successors had been successful in discovering several formidable locations for future settlements and trade outposts, however, they efforts had been largely small in scale, particularly once war with Maui broke out in 1706. When the war ended the newly crowned Kamehameha I hoped to continue his late father’s policies of improvement and expansion. Additionally he sent out the largest, most well armed and equipped, expedition to the southern islands to date. The group landed on Tūpai, which they called Kohola Atoll, and constructed a camp. They spent the next year exploring and trading across the islands, while also spending time on Tahiti. Here they managed to acquire breadfruit plants, which they brought back to Kohala Atoll. Hoping to create a more permanent outpost in the southern islands, they established a farm of breadfruit, taro, and other plants near their camp, becoming a popular outpost on the way south.

The next major expedition ordered by the king would set sail early in 1711, sailing to the southern islands, in which dozens of families, building supplies, and agriculture would be supplanted in the region. This group settled Moena, Nawaomoku, and Hokulea, and began construction of farms and settlements, which would be the first permanent Hawaiian settlements in the region. The islands were officially christened the Hema Pae 'Aina, and Kamanawa, one of the king's allies, traveled to the islands to be appointed chief, settling on Moena.

The accidental discovery in the southern islands, that guano was a highly effective fertilizer, would leading to a great increasing in agriculture, first in the newly founded settlements, and later in the Hawaiian Islands as well. The settlers in the southern islands began mining the substance for use in farming, leading to a boom in population within a generation across these new settlements. Recruitment and settlement in the southern islands would again drop off, however, with the outbreak of the Pahikaua War, in 1716, and would not recover until a few years after its conclusion.

Over the course of the next few decades the Hawaiian settlers in the region would open trade with many other nations of Polynesia, exploring and settling across the region. After Moena, the next island to be explored by the Hawaiians would be Tongareva (in the Cook Islands), followed by four other islands near it within the year. Around this time it was discovered that the western most island, known as Te Ulu-o-Te-Watu, or Pukapuka, was completely distinct from the others with its own unique culture, inhabited by a few families who were shipwrecked there a few decades prior.

In 1716 Chief Kamanawa of Hema Pae 'Aina returned to Hawaii for the first time in several years, and personally recruited a large number of settlers and warriors, before returning to Tongareva in early 1717. The chief fought a brief battle, in which a portion of the native population was killed, with most of the survivors being taken as brides. The Hawaiians began construction of shelters among the native settlements, before continuing to the rest of the islands in the region, which were pacified fairly easily without bloodshed. Kamanawa, for the most part, elevated the already existing rulers into chiefs in exchange for them swearing allegiance to him, allowing for a peaceful takeover. On Pukapuka, since there was no ruler, Kamanawa elected one of the strongest individuals to be leader, and married his sister to himself. He spent much of the year sorting out local disputes and occasionally fighting with dissidents, but by 1718 the islands were firmly under his control.

In late 1717 French ships were first spotted in Polynesia, near Tahiti, where they encountered Hawaiians for the first time. Around this time French traders had begun buying porcelain, ivory, lacquerware, and other goods to be sold in Laurentia and Arcadia, traveling across the Pacific. In order to maximize profits the construction of larger ships had begun (Manila Galleons) for the long voyage across the Pacific. This initial voyage had traveled from the east, landing briefly on a few of the islands for supplies and to trade with locals. The French called the largest of the islands (Tahiti) "New Cythera", after being warmly welcomed by the locals. Although this stop became the most famous along the route, numerous other islands were either spotted or briefly explored, including the Hawaiian possession of Moena, as well as the Cook Islands, Samoa, and Fiji.

The sporadic discovery of islands in the region eventually convinced the king to commission a proper expedition to chart the region and claim land for France. The expedition came together in part after constant petitioning from the French Academy of Sciences for the French government to fund a scientific voyage to the Pacific. The king accepted and appoints Louis-Antoine Véron as the captain of this joint expedition, which would depart in 1718. The Hawaiians greeted these strange ships when they stopped in Moena and other islands across Hema Pae 'Aina, as well as in Hawaii's allies/trade partners in Polynesia, attempting to trade and learn from these foreigners. Kamanawa personally met with one of the ships in 1718, making sure that his people were cordial in order to ensure trade was prosperous. The chief also recognized the metal swords they had as being the same kind the king had, and traded for one of his own.

Later in the year another ship stopped near Farerua, and the locals managed to steal a longboat, causing a violent reprisal from some of the crew members against the locals. Kamanawa and a detachment of men sailed to Bora Bora and managed to storm one of the trade ships at night. Everyone on the small boat was killed, except for two young men, Daniel Bangalter and the captain, Pierre Baret. The capture of the small French brig, the Boudeuse, led to increased favor with the native Polynesians, as well as the capture of a large cargo full of foreign objects and resources. Although the two French men initially tried to escape, they eventually were brought to Kamanawa's home and given Hawaiian wives, and cooperated with the chief in exchange for riches and luxury. Other trade ships would come and go infrequently throughout the year without incident.

Around this time war had ended in the Hawaiian Islands, and Hema Pae 'Aina received several large cargo ships constructed by the king. The king had commissioned the creation of these large ships, much larger than any canoe previously built on the islands, for the sole purpose of trade, and as such they were equip with two large hulls, as well as a large section for cargo. Also in 1718 Hawaiian traders returned to Hema Pae 'Aina with information about the islands past Pukapuka. They told the chief of a major kingdom, known as the Empire of the Tuʻi Tonga (Tonga) far to the southwest, just past where the traders had initially stopped; the island of Samoa. This would be the first encounter between the Tongans and the Hawaiians, leading to a growing relationship in the coming decades.

Royal Family
House of Keawe
 * Keakamahana (1610 - 1655) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii
 * Keakealaniwahine (1630 - 1685) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii - Kanaloa-i-Kaiwilena Kapulehu
 * Keawe II (Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku) (1655 - 1705) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii
 * Kalaninuiamamao (1674 - 1708) - Chief of Puna - Ahia of ʻI of Hilo (1675)
 * Kalaniʻōpuʻu-a-Kaiamamao (1694)
 * Keawemauhili (1698)
 * Keeaumoku Nui (Kalani Kama Keʻeaumoku-nui) (1677 - 1709) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii (1705), Chief of Kona (-1705), Chief of Kohala
 * Keōua Kalanikupuapaʻīkalaninui Ahilapalapa (1699 - 1717)
 * Kamehameha (1680) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii (1709), Chief of Kona (1705), Chief of Hamakua (1705 - 1709), Guardian of the God of War
 * House of Kamehameha
 * Keōua (1657 - 1703)
 * Kameʻeiamoku (1679 - 1716) - Kuhina Nui of Hawaii (1710), Chief of Puna (1708)
 * Kepoʻokalani (1690) - Chief of Puna (1716)
 * Ulumāheihei Hoapili (1692)
 * Hoʻolulu (1693)
 * Loe-wahine (1695)
 * Kekikipaʻa (1697)
 * - Kanaloa-i-Kaiwilena Kapulehu
 * Kalanikauleleiaiwi (1657 - 1698) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii - Kauaua-a-Mahi
 * Alapaʻinuiakauaua (1679 - 1703) - Co-chief of Kohala
 * Haae-a-Mahi (1680 - 1708)
 * Kekuʻiapoiwa (1681) - King Kekaulike of Maui
 * -Lonoikahaupu - Aliʻi of Kauaʻi
 * Keawepoepoe
 * Kanoena
 * - Kanealai (1660 - 1702) - Alii nui of Molokai
 * Kekelakekeokalani (1681 - 1704) - Alii nui of Molokai - Kaeokulani - Alii nui of O'ahu
 * Kumukoa (1683 - 1690)
 * Kaliloamoku (1684) - Kuhina Nui of Hawaii (1716), Chief of Kohala (1709)
 * Peleuli (1700)
 * Keʻeaumoku II Pāpaʻiahiahi (1701)
 * Keeaumoku III (1718)
 * Kamanawa (1684) - Chief of Hema Pae 'Aina (1712)
 * Kuakini (1704)
 * Namahana Piia (1705)
 * Kekauʻōnohi (1707)

House of Kamehameha


 * Kamehameha (1680) - Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii (1709), Chief of Kona (1705), Chief of Hamakua (1705 - 1709), Guardian of the God of War - Kaʻahumanu (1682)
 * Liholiho (1701)
 * Kauikeaouli (1702)
 * Nahienaena (1708)
 * Kamāʻuleʻule (1711)
 * Kamakahukilani (1715)
 * -Kalilikauoha (1677)
 * Kamāmalu (1709)
 * Kekikipaʻa (1711)
 * -Kalolaa-kumukoa (1683)
 * Keaweaweʻulaokalani (1703)
 * Kekāuluohi (1705)
 * Manono (1710)

Caste System
Hawaiʻi had a caste society developed from Polynesians. The main classes were:
 * Aliʻi. This class consisted of the high and lesser chiefs of the realms. They governed with divine power called mana.
 * Kahuna. Priests conducted religious ceremonies, at the heiau and elsewhere. Professionals included master carpenters and boatbuilders, chanters, dancers, genealogists, physicians and healers.
 * Makaʻāinana. Commoners farmed, fished, and exercised the simpler crafts. They labored not only for themselves and their families, but to support the chiefs and kahuna.
 * Kauwā. They are believed to have been war captives or the descendants of war captives. Marriage between higher castes and the kauwā was strictly forbidden. The kauwā worked for the chiefs and were often used as human sacrifices at the luakini heiau. (They were not the only sacrifices; law-breakers of all castes or defeated political opponents were also acceptable as victims.).

Territories
The Kingdom of Hawaii is divided into numerous chiefdoms, each ruled by a high chief, or Aliʻi nui. Initially referring to the ruler of an independent kingdom within the Hawaiian Islands, the term Aliʻi nui eventually came to mean "governor" following the unification of Hawaii. Additionally the title of Mōʻī was a special title for the highest chief of the island of Maui, but was later used solely by the reigning king of Hawaii, beginning with Kamehameha I.

Hawai'i
The island of Hawaii proper is further divided into six districts, each ruled by a lesser chief.

Maui


The island of Hawaii proper is further divided into twelve districts, each ruled by a lesser chief.

Hema Pae 'Aina
The chiefdom of Hema Pae 'Aina corresponds to all territories controlled by the Kingdom of Hawaii but outside the islands of Hawaii proper. The territory is roughly south of Hawaii, and consists of numerous islands across Polynesia.

Flag


At the time of the Kingdom of Hawaii's founding it had no official flag, although beginning in 1707 the banner first flown by Kamehameha began to be unofficially used as a flag for the state during the Kepaniwai War. In 1711, following the conclusion of the war and Kamehameha's ascension, it was officially adopted as the flag of Hawaii.

In the center of the flag is a kahili (symbol of the ali'i), surrounded by paddles. The colors: green for the 'aina (land), red for the koko (blood), and yellow the colors of the feathers used in sacred capes of the 'ali'i.

Foreign Relations
The Kingdom of Hawaii is largely isolated from the rest of the world, and only engages with a handful of neighbors. Since the Lokahi Period and the rule of Keawe II the nation has grown an interest in exploration, however, has not established contact with any major nations.

Hawaiian Kingdoms
 * Kingdom of Maui - Formally claimed by the King of Hawaii since 1706 as a consequence of the Kepaniwai War, although contested by O'ahu.
 * Kingdom of O'ahu - Currently at war
 * Kingdom of Kaua'i - Neutral/good trade relations

Polynesian Nations


 * Chiefdom of Farerua - Major clan on the northern half of Bora Bora, with good trade relations
 * Chiefdom of Vaiotaha - Largest clan on Bora Bora, neutral
 * Nunue Clan
 * Anau Clan
 * Havai'i/Ra'iātea (Raiatea) - Neutral

Other Territories
 * Northwestern Islands - No permanent settlements exist on the ten islands explored by Hawaii
 * Marshall Islands (1707) - Lightly explored/good trade relations
 * Makana (Majuro) - Used by Hawaiian traders
 * Kalama Atoll (Johnston Atoll) - Hosts temporary settlements, and is used as a stop on expeditions south.
 * Kiribati (1707) - Lightly explored/good trade relations
 * Line Islands (1707)
 * Moena (Kiritimati) (1707) - Hosts numerous temporary settlements and ruins, and is used as a stop on expeditions south.
 * Palama Atoll (Palmyra Atoll) (1708)
 * Nawaomoku (Tabuaeran) (1708)
 * Hokulea (Teraina) (1708)
 * Fenua Raro Mata’i (Leeward islands) (1709)
 * Kohola Atoll (Tūpai) (1709) - Site of a Hawaiian farm and temporary settlement

Economy
The Hawaiian economy became complex over time. People began to specialize in specific skills. Generations of families became committed to certain careers: roof thatchers, house builders, stone grinders, bird catchers who would make the feather cloaks of the aliʻi, canoe builders.