Hey so, aloha kakou … I need to point out something very specific here.
Lili’uokalani yes technically inherited the throne, but Kalakaua as a King was ELECTED. There were stipulations, but he was not BORN with an inherent right to rule. In fact some would argue that Queen Emma had more right than he did. The title of “King” was evolving to becoming very similar to what we would call a “President” or “Prime Minister” today. At that point, it had not been a true monarchy.
There is a lot of good things in this post, but this is an important detail. We Kanaka Maoli historically have a cultural belief that if you cannot take care of your people, you are unworthy of being ali’i. Bloodright be damned, the best example of this goes all the way back to Hakau and ‘Umi, sons of Liloa. Hakau was (for lack of a better term) TRUEBORN and the true heir to his father’s reign. HOWEVER, ‘Umi - born to another mother and while came from a powerful bloodline of his own right still NOT trueborn - became ali’i instead. How? Liloa split the right to rule and the designation of Kukailimoku between Hakau and ‘Umi. This was UNHEARD OF, to give the right to rule to Hakau but the designation of the god of war and politics to someone else. Through his deeds, ‘Umi proved he would care for the people, and the people chose him and rejected Hakau.
This is one of the oldest records of rulers in Hawai’i, and it is an important one as it essentially demonstrated how the PEOPLE have the ultimate power over their rulers - and the rulers must follow through on their kuleana to guard, protect, and provide. Kamehameha the Great also had to prove himself against great odds, he had to earn the right to rule. He had to INSPIRE people to follow him. To rule in Hawai’i is not a right, it is a privilege.
Bloodline in Hawai’i, is nothing if your deeds are worthless. Yes, you inherit mana and inherent rights, but if you do nothing both degrade until you find yourself with nothing. Mana can be corrupted, it can be polluted, and no matter how high your parents were, you can be lower than the low.
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