Native Hawaiians

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/native-hawaiians

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the period of initial settlement?Began at least 800 years ago
2. What is the originating culture?Polynesian voyagers from the Society Islands
3. Who were the first people to live in Hawaii?Polynesian voyagers from the Society Islands arrived more than 800 years ago. They sailed in big double‑hulled canoes, using stars, currents, and wind to navigate the ocean.
4. How did Native Hawaiians keep the land and sea healthy?They practiced sustainable farming and fishing, always respecting the ʻāina (land) and moana (sea). This careful care helped keep the environment balanced for future generations.

Kānaka Maoli: The Indigenous inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands, representing a distinct cultural and ethnic group.
Polynesian Navigation: Advanced ancient seafaring techniques enabling long-distance exploration and settlement across the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaiian Kingdom: The sovereign state encompassing the Hawaiian Islands from 1795 until its overthrow in 1893.
ʻĀina and Moana: Hawaiian terms for land and sea, respectively, signifying a deep spiritual and practical connection to the environment.