The Rise and Fall of the Oahu Kingdom

The facinating pre-contact history of Oahu, now the capital island of the Hawaiian chain, is unveiled in this detailed overview by professional archaeologist and historian Ross Cordy. From a lush, uninhabited island to a mighty kingdom at war with its neighbors, The Rise and Fall of the Oahu Kingdom outlines the span of events leading up to the conquering of the island by the Maui and Hawaiian kingdoms in the late 1700's. Information from archaelogical data, oral histories and early nineteenth century written observations provide a focused analysis of Oahu's early settlement, population growth and the spread of settlement to Leeward lands, the development if irrigated taro field systems and fishponds, political changes and the history of the Oahu kingdom from its formation to its demise in 1783.