04-20-2018, 11:03 AM
"the commoners were not as well off as the Ali'i but no one starved "
Ever hear about sandalwood ?
Commoners in Hawaii had to pay this new tax in one of two ways. They ether pay in cash or by gathering half a picul (slightly less than 67 pounds) of sandalwood each year. The penalties for not paying the sandalwood tax were severe. Many lost personal property and possessions. Some were so exhausted and overworked harvesting and hauling sandalwood they became ill or died. The sandalwood tax and the unchecked harvesting of sandalwood led to two famines.
Ever hear about sandalwood ?
Commoners in Hawaii had to pay this new tax in one of two ways. They ether pay in cash or by gathering half a picul (slightly less than 67 pounds) of sandalwood each year. The penalties for not paying the sandalwood tax were severe. Many lost personal property and possessions. Some were so exhausted and overworked harvesting and hauling sandalwood they became ill or died. The sandalwood tax and the unchecked harvesting of sandalwood led to two famines.