The Hawaiian Islands are well known for their beauty, tranquility and unique culture which has shaped this state into what we see today. The special bond that the natives have formed between themselves and nature is not exactly one of a kind, but it is something that can truly be admired. Around 300 AD, Hawaii was discovered by Polynesians who arrived by canoe from Tahiti. These migrants brought their polytheistic spirituality and formed a large, complex society with hierarchies composed of many leaders. Along with the chiefs' decision, newborn Hawaiians followed a strict belief system known as Kapu akua, otherwise known as "the law of the gods." Kapu was a strict set of rules and constraints that dictated all aspects of ancient Hawaiian life, including politics. These rules were used as a way to control the lives of the lower classes and female population in order to honor their gods and maintain the balance of their mana. Mana was spiritual energy infused into most people and things, including words. Leaders were thought to have more mana than others; while a small group of people called kauw [untouchables] did not. The Kauw were forced to live separate from everyone else, so that their lack of mana would not drain it from others (Segisys). Establishment of Kapu, much like the caste system in India, those at the bottom of the social ladder were not allowed to have any contact with the upper class, much less that of the leader. A Kapu law provided for punishing those who cast their shadow on a king/chief and even those who attempted to look him directly in the eyes. Other examples of these regulations included prohibiting men and women from eating together or...... middle of paper ......riffith, Joan Conrow, Pauline Frommer. Ancient Hawaii by Pauline Frommer. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, 2006. Destination: Hawaii. Perf. Patti Kim. National Geographic. 1996-2010. Hart, Joyce. Hawaii. Tarrytown: Marshall Canvendish Corporation, 1998. Holman, Janet Susan. The Enlightenment and Captain James Cook: The Lono-Cook-Kirk-Regenesis. Bloomindale: AuthorHouse, 2008. Horwitz, Tony. Blue Attitudes: Boldly going where Captain Cooke has gone before. New York: Picador, 2002. Oaks, Robert. Hawai'i: A History of the Big Island. Chicago: Tempus Publishing, 2003. Segisys. Native Hawaiian religion. May 20, 2010. Sonia P. Juvik, James O. Juvik. Atlas of Hawaii. 3rd edition. Hilo: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998. Thompson, Rob. “HISTORIC SITES.” The Christian church and the heiau suffer damage October 17, 2006: 7C.