Aliʻi is a word in the Polynesian language (and other related languages) denoting chiefly status[1] in ancient Hawaii and the Samoa Islands. A similar word with the same concept is found in other Polynesian societies. In the Cook Islands, an ariki is a high chief and the House of Ariki is a parliamentary house (with very limited power). In New Zealand a Māori ariki held a rank of nobility and the Maori monarch held the title Te Arikinui (Great Chief) similar to Ke Aliʻi Nui in Hawaiian. In Tokelau, the term aliki denotes a chief, on Easter Island a noble was ariki and in Tahiti the term is ari'i.
In Samoa, ali'i is a chiefly rank in the fa'amatai system which lies at the heart of the culture's socio-political organisation[2] and similar to the traditional system in Hawaii.
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In ancient Hawaiian society, ali'i was a hereditary chiefly or noble rank (social class or caste).[3] The aliʻi class consisted of the high and lesser chiefs of the various realms in the islands. They governed with divine power called mana.[4] The aliʻi were the highest class, ranking above both kahuna (priests) and makaʻāinana (commoners).
Most common translations are "'Chief", and "High Chief", although lord and lady were sometimes sometimes considered equivalent English titles. Proposals to use prince and princess have not received broad support.
All the aliʻi Hawaiian dynasties of the several islands were interrelated, and apparently forbidden to intermarry with other classes.
Aliʻi were full of mana and could place and remove kapu (curse or taboo) on objects. Aliʻi continued to rule the Hawaiian islands until 1893 when Queen Liliʻuokalani passively resisted the attempts to substitute the Constitutional Monarchy, Government, and supporting Aliʻi, in a coup arranged by filibusters.
Aliʻi Nui were ruling chiefs (in Hawaiian, nui means grand, great, or supreme.[5]) and must claim parentage at least of a mother of the highest rank.
Alii is also a term that means hello in Palauan Language.
Aliʻi ʻAimoku were high chiefs of an island. The four largest Hawaiian islands (Hawaiʻi proper, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu) were usually ruled each by their own aliʻi ʻaimoku. Molokaʻi also had a line of island kings, but was later subjected to the superior power of nearby Maui and Oʻahu during the 17th and 18th centuries. Under an aliʻi ʻaimoku, subordinate district aliʻi controlled their petty fiefs. But these petty fiefs could sometimes encompass one-sixth of an island, since the islands were usually divided into six districts. These feudal lords were aliʻi nui of their district and were styled as "Aliʻi-o-Name of District".
Mōʻī was a special title for the highest chief of the island of Maui, otherwise also known as Aliʻi ʻAimoku of Maui. Later, the title was used for all kings of the Hawaiian Islands and the Hawaiian monarchs.
Kaukaualiʻi was a chief of inferior rank who was a noble only on his father's side, with an inferior-ranking mother. Kaukaualiʻi usually gain rank through marriage with higher ranking aliʻi. Some bore kahili, royal standards made of feathers, and were attendants of the higher ranking aliʻi. During the monarchy these chiefs served as the primary political figures in the Hawaiian legislature and the king's Privy Council.
Ranks of the Aliʻi: First were the Aliʻi Pio who were product of full blood sibling unions. Famous Pio chiefs were the royal twins, Kameeiamoku and Kamanawa. Next were the Aliʻi Naha who were product of half blood sibling unions, famous Naha chiefs include Keopuolani. After that was the Aliʻi Wohi who were product of marriage of close relatives other than siblings; one famous Wohi chief being Kamehameha I. Last came the inferior chiefs.
Internecine warfare between heirs of rulers was common in ancient Hawaiʻi. Warfare between chiefs was also common.
Commoner or lesser Aliʻi served the Higher ranking Aliʻi, not for pay, but instead, due to their duty to allegiance to the nation.
The caste organization facilitated a feudal system that resembles other feudal societies, for example the feudal systems found in Europe circa 1000 AD, in feudal Japan, Ethiopia, and so on.
Higher aliʻi gave lesser aliʻi parcels of land, which would in turn be governed them. The lesser aliʻi divided the land into plots to be farmed and cultivated by makaʻainana families. Harvests were returned to the lesser aliʻi, each taking a portion before being sent to the supreme aliʻi.
Both the reigning dynasties of the united Kingdom of Hawaiʻi (1810–1893) were of aliʻi class. As each relative of those dynasties was entitled to the title aliʻi, they have later, posthumously, been popularly labeled (mostly erroneously) princesses and princes, although only a limited number of royal relatives ever received the princely title from the monarch.