Trade, Religion, Literacy, And Laws: How Aliʻi Wahine Shaped The Early Hawaiian Kingdom

Abstract

Aliʻi wahine (chiefly women) had a tremendous impact on the social and political trajectory of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. These women were not only included in aspects of governance such as trade agreements and legal disputes but were regularly at the forefront of them. As more and more foreigners came to Hawaiʻi at the turn of the nineteenth century, various aliʻi wahine used their power and influence to spread newly introduced systems and mores across Hawaiʻi. The most prominent of these are Christianity and literacy. Traders and missionaries did not take long to correct their earlier mistakes of miscounting these wahine as merely peripheral. The actions and ramifications of aliʻi wahine during this time showcase not only their political power but also their power to shape society based on their individual actions. This paper will look at aliʻi wahine prior to 1830 and how they impacted the trajectory of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi through their relationships with European and American ships, engagement with Christian missionaries, encouragement of Hawaiian literacy, and the passing of laws regulating Hawaiians’ interactions with foreigners.