Mahele

Definition

Mahele refers to the land division system established in Hawaii in 1848, which aimed to transfer land ownership from the Hawaiian monarchy to individual citizens. This process significantly altered land ownership patterns and played a crucial role in the cultural and economic landscape of Hawaii. The mahele is key to understanding the ongoing struggles for Native Hawaiian rights and legal battles surrounding land use and ownership.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The mahele was enacted through the Great Mahele, which aimed to privatize land in Hawaii and was influenced by Western ideas of property ownership.
2. Prior to the mahele, land in Hawaii was held communally under the konohiki system, where chiefs managed resources for their communities.
3. The mahele led to significant land loss for many Native Hawaiians, as many were unable to secure their land claims or were unaware of the legal processes involved.
4. Only a small fraction of the land transferred during the mahele ended up being owned by Native Hawaiians, with much of it acquired by wealthy non-Hawaiians.
5. The ramifications of the mahele continue to be felt today as Native Hawaiians seek legal redress and recognition of their rights to ancestral lands.

Review Questions

• How did the mahele impact Native Hawaiian land ownership and what were some immediate consequences following its implementation?
  • The mahele drastically changed land ownership in Hawaii from a communal system to individual ownership. Many Native Hawaiians faced challenges in securing their claims due to a lack of understanding of the new legal requirements. As a result, many lost their ancestral lands, leading to displacement and fragmentation of their communities. The shift also allowed non-Hawaiians to acquire large amounts of land, further exacerbating issues related to Native Hawaiian rights.
• Discuss the long-term implications of the mahele on contemporary Native Hawaiian rights movements.
  • The long-term implications of the mahele have been significant for contemporary Native Hawaiian rights movements, as it set a precedent for land ownership disputes. The loss of ancestral lands has fueled ongoing advocacy for legal recognition and restitution. Activists often reference the historical injustices stemming from the mahele when seeking to reclaim lands or advocate for policy changes that support Native Hawaiian communities. This historical context shapes current debates about sovereignty and self-determination among Native Hawaiians.
• Evaluate how historical events like the mahele have influenced modern legal battles concerning land rights and sovereignty for Native Hawaiians.
  • Historical events like the mahele have had profound effects on modern legal battles concerning land rights and sovereignty for Native Hawaiians. The loss of land during this period created a legacy of dispossession that activists continue to challenge today. Contemporary legal cases often draw on the injustices from the mahele, as Native Hawaiians assert their rights through lawsuits and legislation aimed at restoring ancestral lands. By connecting historical injustices with current struggles, these movements highlight the need for reparative measures and broader recognition of Native Hawaiian sovereignty within U.S. law.

Related terms

Kuleana: Kuleana refers to the rights of Native Hawaiians to access and use land, particularly after the mahele, where individuals were granted small parcels of land for personal use.

Bishop Estate: The Bishop Estate is a significant land trust in Hawaii that holds vast amounts of land, originally acquired through the mahele, impacting current issues of land ownership and Native Hawaiian rights.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Act: The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 was established to provide homesteads for Native Hawaiians, attempting to address the dispossession that followed the mahele.