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.highnlite wrote: "In the places you mention, people drifted in over generations. In Hawaii they jumped off their boats fully equipped in a tabula rasa."
Why do you think it was different in Hawaii? Even though settlement happened in boats (can't just wander over anytime), it did not happen tabula rasa as you think. It is now generally accepted that there were several waves of settlement in Hawaii, or at least 2. When the Tahitians arrived in the 2nd millenium AD, there were already people living here, about whom we don't know much. Were they peaceful or warlike? Did they deplete their environment or live harmoniously within it? What is more certain is that Tahitians, likely driven by overpopulation, migrated in several waves and brought a belligerent war-like system with them. First they drove out the unknown inhabitants, then they set up the kapu system, and eventually fought amongst themselves. Same as it ever was, same barbarity as the Westerners who "discovered" Hawaii, no need to turn them into fallen angels.
Location: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
6,390 posts, read 9,684,265 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KauaiHiker
.highnlite wrote: "In the places you mention, people drifted in over generations. In Hawaii they jumped off their boats fully equipped in a tabula rasa."
Why do you think it was different in Hawaii? Even though settlement happened in boats (can't just wander over anytime), it did not happen tabula rasa as you think. It is now generally accepted that there were several waves of settlement in Hawaii, or at least 2. When the Tahitians arrived in the 2nd millenium AD, there were already people living here, about whom we don't know much. Were they peaceful or warlike? Did they deplete their environment or live harmoniously within it? What is more certain is that Tahitians, likely driven by overpopulation, migrated in several waves and brought a belligerent war-like system with them. First they drove out the unknown inhabitants, then they set up the kapu system, and eventually fought amongst themselves. Same as it ever was, same barbarity as the Westerners who "discovered" Hawaii, no need to turn them into fallen angels.
Not sure why you are arguing, hell, I have forgotten more Hawaiian history than you ever learned. I read Michener.
Location: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
6,390 posts, read 9,684,265 times
Reputation: 2622
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flame Angel
You mean modern conveniences like metals, glass, plastics, fuels, power other than muscle?
I think many people have an overly-romanticized view of what life was like then. It was tough and generally short and very painful. Imagine no dentistry!!!
No dentistry is not such a problem if you have no sugar. The highest level of civilization ever reached by man post development of agriculture was the California Rancho period. They lacked most all modern conveniences, yet lived lives of high joy and high value.
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