Pre-contact
Before contact with the outside world, Hawaii had their own set of rules that every one was forced to follow. These set of rules were known as the Kapu system. A system in which kept Hawaii safe and protected. However, one of the many things the Kapu system affected in early Hawaii was the religion in which the Hawaiians followed. Back before the white men came, Hawaiian's worshiped not one, but many Gods. Each of these Gods however, represented the different principles of life. One was named Kane, who was the God of life. Second, Ku, who was the God of war. Three, Lono, the God of agriculture. Lastly four, Kanaloa who was the God of the ocean. All of these Gods took form in many different shapes. The Hawaiians worshipped them a lot because they believed that these Gods protected the life of not only the people, but the land as well. Also, Hawaiians had ancestral spirits called "aumakua," or guardian angel, who they also believed watched over them. Another thing was the heiau's. The heiau was sacred temples that were off limits to all people unless permissioned too. In conclusion, this was all apart of religion in early traditional Hawaii, before the white men came in the 18th century.
Post-contact
After the arrival of the missionaires, the Kapu System began to turn, as life in Hawaii slowly changed. A new religion was brought to Hawaii, and the old religion that the Hawaiians use to follow was not the same. Later after ther Kapu System was ended, the sacred heiau's were destroyed, and all their sacred artifacts were burned. Majority of the Hawaiian population converted to Christianity, where they learned more about the white men culture, and their way of worshipping only one God. Next, missionaries began developing an alphabet for the Hawaiian language, and translating the Bible for the Hawaiians to read and learn about. Soon enough, Hawaii began to reflect more of a Western Society, and Christian religion.
Today we have more then one religion group. We have many different churches, and temples built. Religions today are much more different then how it was back in early Hawaii tradition.
Today we have more then one religion group. We have many different churches, and temples built. Religions today are much more different then how it was back in early Hawaii tradition.
Future
More churches and temples will be built. However, the people who still have strong Hawaiian beliefs will try to bring back their Hawaiian culture.