Alii Aimoku of Molokai - Overview

Overview

The traditional history of Molokaʻi is fragmentary. The island was not of major political importance. Its importance lay in the connections its royal family made by marriage, and, in later years, the reputation of its sorcery and kahunas. Molokai was the fifth largest of the eight main Hawaiian isles, and it sizes hindered it in its struggle for power and survival among the other islands of Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi. Its main enemies were the chiefs of Oʻahu and Maui.

By the end of the 17th century, as interisland conflict grew worse and worse, and Molokaʻi suffered many blows from the powerful monarchs of other isles; notabaly Kapiiohookalani, Peleioholani and Kahekili II. Molokaʻi finally, and completely, succumbed to the might of Maui prior to the end of the ancient Hawaiian era.