Ancient Hawaiian Law
Law in ancient Hawaii was dictated by the Kapu systekm. The Kapu system was the Hawaiians rules and regulations that handled every aspect of their lives. The ali'i, chiefs, that ruled over the people had the people convinced that the gods had given them divine power, referred to as "mana" and that they were chosen to rule by this right. The Kapu system was developed to preserve this idea. Kapus, or laws, were created to keep people from doing certain things and going certain places, to keep these pleaces sacred for the gods, and to separate the social classes of Hawaii. Breaking a kapu, in most cases, meant death. If an ali'i broke a kapu, though, they would not be put to death, although a commoner may be put to death to "preserve the mana." The kapus were the ali'i's ways of restricting the commoners and keeping themselves in power.
Post Contact Law
After the Hawaiians were reached by Captain Cook, the Hawaiian governmental structure made a shift. Instead of chiefs ruling each island, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands under one king with help from the British. He took ideas from the world outside, especially from monarchies such as Great Britain, and made them his own in ruling his land. After King Kamehameha I died, he had the office of Kuhina Nui established, which was equivalent to a prime minister, so the monarchy was no longer absolute. His son, King Kamehameha II, took the throne and, with strong influence from the Kuhina Nui, Ka'ahumanu, turned the entire society upside down when he overthrew the Kapu system. No longer were the people held under the oppression of the gods rules, now the only leadership they had was found in the monarchy. This was the case until Hawaii was annexed into the United States in 1898 and became a state in 1959.
Modern Law in Hawaii
Hawaii, being a state in the United States, is governed by the same laws as the other states. They are determined by a state government composed of many offices, such as the governor, state legislature, the state Senate, and the state house of Representatives. These offices lead the state in making the decisions, passing laws, and governing the people.
Law in the Future of Hawaii
Law in the future of Hawaii will most likely stay largely the same as it is now, seeing as it is a part of the United States. The laws may change slightly, depending on events that occur in the future, but for the most part, we believe Hawaii's law will remain largely the same.