Captivating Hawaii’s Culture starts from the Polynesians who found the islands around 400 AD. They came here from the Marquesas Island some 2000 miles away, known for navigation, travelled to and first landed on Big Island Hawaii in hollowed out canoes. Their canoes were well crafted and very sturdy. They joined two canoes together with a platform in the middle creating a well-balanced ship that sailed and paddle power across the ocean. Each canoe had at least 15 crewmembers with 3-4 boats travelling together. In the darkness, they kept in contact with each other by blowing on conch shells. They bought many types of supplies, additional food, dozens of plant species, like bananas, taro, breadfruit, noni, and animals like pigs, chickens, dogs and they bought medicinal plants, basic tools, vessels made of gourds and ropes. Polynesians Found Hawaii Around 400 AD
Polynesians included Samoans, Tongans, Niueans, Cook Island Maori, Tahitian Ma`ohi, Hawaiian Maoli, Marquesas’ and New Zealand Maori. The reason they came here is not firmly established but believed they left due to overpopulation possibly to avoid war with neighbouring combative tribes. Polynesians who travelled in a large diverse group number, looking for new lands to settle on, over the years, migrated to the other major Hawaiian Islands.
Captivating Hawaii’s Culture
Without any known documents or artefact to study, little is known about their customs or way of life, remained sole inhabitants for hundreds of years until around 1000 AD when Tahitians landed. The population increased rapidly and the chiefs created a foundation for their new society with the building of public works such as fishponds, Taro patches, irrigation systems and many temples. Kalahuipua’a Fishponds are the spiritual centre of Mauna Lani.
After 1300 AD they stopped long-distance travel and Hawaiian culture and society continued to flourish in its unique path.
