The important event being described-
Kameʻeleihiwa is describing the event that led to 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 is describing the revolution that took place in Hawaii that led to the end Aikapu system of the 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 is discussing the event that led to the fall of Aikapu system of the government. The Kuykendall gives a detailed narration that led to the fall of the Kamehameha Kingdom. Kuykendall narrates that Kamehameha created the Kingdom of Kapus and also he was 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 Aikapu system cannot be tracked. Kuykendall narrates, “The train of circumstances leading the final act of abolition of Kapus and old religious system cannot easily be traced in detail (Kuykendall, 224).” Thus, the event the author is describing is the end of 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 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 eat restrictions in the Aikapu system. |
| Liholiho | His inner thoughts remained unknown, but he was pressured by Ka’ahemanu and 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 Kuykendal | |
| 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 among chiefs influenced Liholiho’s decisions. |
| Captain Freycinet | Intentions to keep the kingdom under France rulers. |
| Kaahumanu | She was influenced by the fact that she disregarded the campus 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 Hawaiin society.
According to Kuykendall, the importance of the event was that it opened the door for missionaries and European countries. Also, the event signified the end of women’s discrimination.
Author’s thoughts
I believe Kameʻeleihiwa believed the abolition of Aikapu system was a negative thing. They said that: “many less Hawaiian were fear 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 happen at the period which 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 |