- Social stratification: The introduction of agriculture led to the emergence of a social hierarchy, with chiefs, priests, and landowners at the top and commoners at the bottom. This replaced the traditional egalitarian society.
- Increased population: Agriculture allowed for a more reliable food supply, leading to a significant increase in the Hawaiian population. This, in turn, put pressure on natural resources and land.
- Changes in family structure: Agriculture required a settled lifestyle, which led to changes in family structure. Extended families became more common, and there was a greater emphasis on cooperation and division of labor within families.
- Increased warfare: As competition for resources intensified, warfare between different Hawaiian chiefdoms became more frequent and intense. This led to the rise of powerful chiefs who were able to conquer and unify large territories under their control.
Economic changes:
- Subsistence to surplus production: Agriculture shifted the Hawaiian economy from one of subsistence farming to one of surplus production. This allowed Hawaiians to trade with other societies for goods they did not produce themselves.
- Development of irrigation systems: To support agriculture in the dry leeward regions of the islands, Hawaiians developed extensive irrigation systems. These systems allowed them to cultivate crops in areas that would have otherwise been too arid.
- Land ownership: As agriculture became more important, land became a valuable commodity. Chiefs and other elites began to claim ownership of large tracts of land, which led to conflicts with commoners who had traditionally had access to the same land.
Cultural changes:
- New crops and foods: The introduction of new crops, such as taro, sweet potatoes, and bananas, changed the Hawaiian diet and culinary traditions.
- Artistic expression: Agriculture influenced artistic expression, with new designs and motifs incorporating agricultural symbols and imagery.
- Religious beliefs: The importance of agriculture in Hawaiian society was reflected in religious beliefs and practices. Deities associated with fertility, rain, and agriculture were venerated, and rituals were performed to ensure successful harvests.