Interaction With Outsiders

Prior to contact with outside groups, the Kanaka Maoli population consisted of anywhere from 400,000 to 1 million people. After Captain Cook's arrival in 1778, the population was reduced to 40,000 people in just 100 years.* The Great Mahele of 1848 marked the end of self-rule and Westerners prohibited the Kanaka Maoli people from participating in cultural practices. The beliefs and traditions of the ancient Hawaiians soon after deteriorated. It is not questions that the beliefs and practices of the Hawaiian people were directly affected by the visiting explorers and missionaries. These visitors had power over the people and were able to abolish their indigenous religion and subsistence practices less than 100 years after their arrival.

*see the Medicine page for more information about this severe population reduction