Final answer:
Land in Hawaii is legally described using the metes and bounds system, which is a traditional method of describing land boundaries based on physical landmarks and measurements introduced in 1848.
Step-by-step explanation:
Land in Hawaii is legally described using the metes and bounds system, which is a traditional method of describing land boundaries by referencing physical landmarks and measurements.
This system was introduced in Hawaii in 1848 with the Great Māhele, a division of land that marked the beginning of private land ownership.
To claim newly privatized land, individuals had to provide testimony, pay for a survey, and obtain a Royal Patent.
The metes and bounds system created irregular property maps in Hawaii, making it difficult to determine property lines demarcated by moveable objects like trees, rocks, and streams.