Ahupua'a
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In old Hawai'i, ahupua'a was the common subdivision of the land. It consisted most frequently of a slice of an island that went from the top of the local mountain (volcano) to the shore, following the banks of a stream. Ahupua'as varied in size depending on the economic means of the location and were meant to support roughly equal numbers of people.
'Ahupua'a is derived from Hawaiian ahu, meaning: "heap", and pua'a, the Hawaiian word for pig. The boundary markers for ahupua'as were traditionally heaps of stones used to put offers to the island chieftain, which was usually a pig.
There may have been two reasons for this kind of subdivision:
- travel: in many areas of Hawai'i, it is easier to travel up- and downstream than from stream valley to stream valley
- economy: having all climate zones and economic exploitation zones in each land division ensured that a sudden drought or overfishing would not starve any ahupua'a or make one dependent on another.
[edit] Ahupua'a Today
Many local towns in Hawaii still maintain the old Ahupua'a names given to them. In West Maui, which is usually called Lahaina for all government purposes. The towns; (North to South) Honokohau, Honolua, Kapalua, Napili, Kahana, Honokawai, Ka'anapali, Lahaina, Olowalu dot the coast follow the Ahupua'a system, with each maintaining their local flavors.
