Konohiki facts for kids
A konohiki was an important leader in the Kingdom of Hawaii. They were like a manager for a specific area of land, called an ahupuaʻa. These land areas were part of the larger lands controlled by a powerful chief, known as an aliʻi. The konohiki made sure everything ran smoothly on their land.
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What Was a Konohiki?
A konohiki was a special kind of leader in ancient Hawaii. They were in charge of managing a piece of land for a chief. Think of them as a land agent or a steward. Their main job was to make sure the land was used well and that the people living there were taken care of.
How Land Was Divided in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands had a very organized way of dividing land.
- The whole island was called a mokupuni.
- Each mokupuni was split into several big districts called moku. These moku usually stretched from the highest mountain peaks all the way down to the ocean.
- A powerful chief, called an aliʻi ʻaimoku, was in charge of each moku. The main ruling chief would choose these leaders.
- Each moku was then divided into smaller sections called ahupuaʻa. These ahupuaʻa were named after special stone altars where taxes were collected during the Makahiki festival.
- And guess who managed each ahupuaʻa? That's right, a konohiki!
Konohiki and Chiefs
Most konohiki were also part of the aliʻi (nobility or chiefs) family. However, not all aliʻi were konohiki. The konohiki was often a relative of the aliʻi they worked for. This helped keep things organized and loyal.
The word "konohiki" itself can be broken down:
- Kono means "to invite" or "to prompt."
- Hiki means "something that can be done."
So, a konohiki was someone who made things happen or got things done on the land!
What Did a Konohiki Do?
The konohiki had many important jobs:
- Managing Land: They oversaw how land was used for farming and other activities.
- Water Rights: They made sure everyone had fair access to water for their crops.
- Collecting Tributes: They were responsible for collecting gifts and tributes (like food or goods) from the people to give to the aliʻi chief. They made sure these were given at the right times.
- Maintenance: They helped with any upkeep or repairs needed on the land.
As Hawaii started to adopt new ideas like capitalism, the role of the konohiki changed a bit. They became more like tax collectors, landlords, and even wardens over fishing areas.
See also
- In Spanish: Konohiki para niños
