Peter R Mills Knihy

In this groundbreaking work, Peter Mills uncovers the emergence of the Hawaiian nation-state through largely overlooked sources. He examines how early Hawaiian chiefs utilized Western sailing technology to construct their island nation, detailing the history of sixty Hawaiian-owned vessels, including schooners and canoes. Often dismissed as examples of folly, these ships played a crucial role in the evolving monarchy, facilitating transformations in interisland tributary systems, alliances, exchanges, and Indigenous capitalism. Part One explores trends in Hawaiʻi's maritime traditions, tracing the evolution of Hawaiian archaic states before contact. Mills argues that political intensification under Kamehameha I's predecessors set the stage for his appropriation of Western vessels. From the first acquisition in 1790 to the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in 1840, these ships were integral to a strategy that diversified the monarchy's revenue and enhanced its diplomatic standing. Part Two delves into the histories of the sixty vessels owned by Hawaiian chiefs, detailing their significance, origins, and purposes. Mills utilizes newspapers and other sources to reveal over 2,000 voyages, providing insight into the movement of chiefs and commoners as they shaped a newly interconnected nation. Part Three connects these maritime narratives to broader historical discussions of Hawaiian agency, offering readers engaging