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The Ahupua'a
Ancient
Hawaiian life was based around the ahupua'a system of land management,
which evolved to protect the upland water resources that sustained
human life. A typical ahupua'a, or land division, was wedge-shaped
and extended from the mountains to the sea. As water flowed from the
upland
forest, down through the ahupua'a, it passed from the wao akua, the
realm of the gods, to the wao kanaka, the realm of man, where it sustained
agriculture,
aqua culture and other human uses. Water was a gift from the gods,
and all Hawaiians took an active part in its use and conservation.
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For more information, pick up “Life in Early Hawai’i: The Ahupua’a” from
Kamehameha Schools Press.
Image courtesy of TNC of HI
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