Kameʻeleihiwa describes the event that led to the Aikapu System of government in Hawaii. The author narrates how the death of the society leader, Kamehameha, led to the fall of the Aikapu traditions. Thus, the leader describes the revolution that took place in Hawaii, which led to the end of the Aikapu system of government. The author narrates, “The revolution was accomplished when Liholiho, the sacred heir to Kamehameha and the new Mo’I, sat down to eat with female Ali’I’Nui. After this act, the Aikapu was declared no more (Kameʻeleihiwa, 217).”
Kuykendall discusses the event that led to the fall of the Aikapu system of the government. The Kuykendall gives a detailed narration of what led to the fall of the Kamehameha Kingdom. Kuykendall narrates that Kamehameha created the Kingdom of Kapus and was also the ruler of the Kingdom. The author narrates that: “During his reign, Kamehameha very wisely managed the internal affairs of the Kingdom in such a way as to minimize the danger of revolt (Kuykendall, 220).” The author continues to narrate that after the death of the Kamehameha, his elder was inducted into kingship. The author narrates the factions between the kingship and the chiefs that led the kingdom to be weak. The author asserts that the reason and what contributed to the abolishment of the Aikapu system cannot be traced. Kuykendall narrates, “The train of circumstances leading the final act of abolition of Kapus and the old religious system cannot easily be traced in detail (Kuykendall, 224).” Thus, the event the author is describing is the end of the Kapus System in Hawaii.
The Year That The Event Occurred
Kameʻeleihiwa described that the event occurred in November 1819. The author narrates that: “Six months after the death of Kamehameha, in November of 1819… (Kameʻeleihiwa, 217)”
Kuykendall described that the event occurred in November 1819. The author narrates that: “After the induction of Liholiho into kingship, the next important episode in this year 1819 was the abolition of the kapu system, which occurred in the early part of November (Kuykendall, 223).”
Key People Involved
| Key people involved in the “Liholiho and the overthrow of the ʻAikapu,” by Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa | |
| List in order of appearance | Factors that influenced these people |
| Ka’ahumanu | She was a political rival of Liholiho, and she did not have restrictions in the Aikapu system. |
| Liholiho | His inner thoughts remained unknown, but he was pressured by Ka’ahemanu, her mother, and other women close to him to abolish the system. |
| Kekuaokalani | His decision was influenced by the need to remain religious to achieve political success. |
| Key People Involved in the 1819” by Ralph Kuykendall | |
| List in order of appearance | Factors that influenced these people |
| Kamehameha | He was a great leader who wisely managed the internal affairs of the kingdom to avoid revolt. |
| Liholiho | Revolt and rivalry from chiefs influenced Liholiho decisions. |
| Captain Freycinet | Intentions to keep the kingdom under French rulers. |
| Kaahumanu | She was influenced by the fact that she disregarded the Kapus system |
Significance Of The Abolition Of The Aikapu/Kapu System
According to Kameʻeleihiwa, the event signified the end of women’s discrimination. Due to the abolition of the Aikapu system, women and men were able to eat together. Thus, the event created cohesiveness in Hawaiian society.
According to Kuykendall, the importance of the event was that it opened the door missionaries and the European countries. Also, the event signified the end of women discrimination.
Author’s Thoughts
I believe Kameʻeleihiwa believed the abolition of the Aikapu system was a negative thing. They said that: “many fewer Hawaiians were afraid and waiting for the catastrophe to strike (Kameʻeleihiwa, 219).”
I believe Kuykendall was positive about the abolition of the Kapu system. He said that there were years that stood out due to events that happened during the period that contributed to national development (Kuykendall, 220).
Timeline Of The Events
| Timeline | Events |
| May-1819 | The death of Kamehameha. |
| May-1819 | Induction of liholiho to kingship |
| November-1819 | The end of Aikapu/kapu system |
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