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The ability to protect land and water resources from depletion
and still provide the materials needed by the people is called
sustainability. How did the ahupua'a system of management achieve
sustainability? |
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Sustainability
draws from historical researcher Carol
Silva's report in the Archaeological Investigation of Hule'ia
National Wildlife Refuge Ha'iku, Niumalu, Kaua'. In addition,
the traditional Hawaiian perspective is taken from Lilikala
K. Kame'eleihiwa in Atlas of Hawai'i. |
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The traditional Hawaiian
perspective saw the 'aina and the ali'i nui (high
chiefs) as elder siblings (brother or sister), with the maka'ainana
as the younger sibling - all three having descended from the
mating of the earth and sky. It was the duty of the maka'ainana
to malama 'aina (care for the land), while it was the
duty of the 'aina and the ali'i nui to ho'omalu
(protect) the maka'ainana.
.(Lilikala K. Kame'eleihiwa) |
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The ahupua'a was viewed as a single system. The konohiki
managed the ahupua'a as one system. What happened in any
one part of the ahupua'a affected all the other parts. The head
was connected to the tail, the mauka connected to the
makai. The maka'ainana worked as a community with
a shared interest in protecting the land and water resources
from wao to ko kaha kai. |
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Ahupua'a painting by
Marilyn Kahalewai
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| From Carol Silva - “Pre-contact
Hawaiians depended upon an extremely ordered and equitable system
of land division in which district boundaries were most carefully
planned and laid out. This guaranteed that all natives residing
within these boundaries would receive a fair share in the rights,
privileges, and benefits essential for a self-sufficient yet
comfortable life. Private land ownership was unknown, and public,
common use of the ahupua’a resources demanded that boundaries
be drawn to include sufficient land for residence and cultivation,
freshwater sources, shoreline and open ocean access." |
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Ahupua'a Map courtesy of Ho'okipa Network
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There was a clear line of responsibility from gods to ali'i
to konohiki to maka'ainana. There were clear kapu
(prohibitions), which controlled when and how resources were
used, with very strict penalties for those who did not follow
the kapu.
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“As the native
Hawaiians used the resources within their 'ahupua'a, they practiced
aloha (respect), laulima (cooperation), and
malama (stewardship) which resulted in a desirable pono
(balance). This is sound resource management where the interconnectedness
of the clouds, the forests, the streams, the fishponds, the
sea, and the people is clearly recognized.”
(Carlos Andrade) |
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Alekoko Sunset by David Boynton
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Soon, however, the sun would set
on traditional Hawaiian land use. In Plantation,
we look at the forces set in play by the arrival of Captain
Cook. |
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