<P> In Keelikolani vs Robinson, kononiki is defined as a Land Agent . In Territory vs Bishop Trust Co . LTD., when the agent was appointed by a chief, they were referred to as konohiki . The term could also be a designated area of land owned privately as compared to being owned by the government . A chief of lands retained life tenure on the land even after being discharged from the position, but a head man overseeing the same land had no such protection . </P> <P> Often ali'i and konohiki are treated synonymously . However, while most konohiki were ali'i nobility, not all ali'i were konohiki . The Hawaiian dictionary defines konohiki as a headman of a land division, but also to describe fishing rights . Kono means to entice or prompt . Hiki refers to something that can be done . The konohiki was a relative of the ali'i and oversaw the property, managing water rights, land distribution, agricultural use and any maintenance . The konohiki also ensured that the right amounts of gifts and tribute were properly made at the right times . </P> <P> As capitalism was incorporated into the kingdom the konohiki became tax collectors, landlords and fishery wardens . </P> <P> Captain James Cook led three separate voyages to chart unknown areas of the globe for the British Empire . On his third voyage he encountered Hawaii . He first sighted the islands on 18 January 1778 . He anchored off the coast of Kauai and met with the local inhabitants to trade and obtain water and food for their continued voyage . On 2 February 1778, Cook continued on to the coast of North America and Alaska searching for a Northwest Passage for approximately nine months . He returned to Hawaii chain to resupply, initially exploring the coasts of Maui and Hawaii Island to trade . He anchored in Kealakekua Bay in January 1779 . After departing Kealakekua, he returned in February 1779 after a ship's mast broke in bad weather . </P>

Who owned the hawaiian islands before the us