PACE Commission Lesson Plan · Grade 4 · Social Studies, ELA & Hawaiian History

The Kapu Code

Before Western contact, the kapu system governed Hawaiʻi’s society — regulating access to natural resources, defining social roles, and maintaining order. Fourth graders examine how this ancient code worked, why it mattered, and how it compares to the laws and civic structures we have today. This lesson centers Hawaiian history as a lens for understanding governance and the rule of law.