Introduction to Ancient Hawaii: Name: ______Pd: ___
The Ahupua’a System Date: ______
Background:
The concept of private property was unknown to ancient Hawaiians, but they did follow a complex system of land division. All land was controlled ultimately by the highest chief or king who held it in trust for the whole population. Who supervised these lands was designated by the king based on rank and standing. A whole island, or mokupuni, was divided into smaller parts.
Each mokupuni was divided into several moku, the largest units within each island, usually wedge-shaped and running from the mountain crest to shore. O`ahu was divided into six moku.
A moku was then divided into ahupua`a, narrower wedge-shaped land sections that again ran from the mountains to the sea. The size of the ahupua`a depended on the amount of natural resources availablein the area. Poorer agricultural regions were split into larger ahupua`a to compensate for the lack of natural abundance. Each ahupua`a was ruled by an ali`i or local chief and administered by a konohiki, or land overseer.
Three main divisions existed within an ahupua’a: Uka (mountain), Kula (open land), and Kai (sea). The ahupua’a’s wedged shaped was intentional, following the natural boundaries of the watershed. A watershed is an area of land from which all surface and ground water flows from higher elevations downhill to a common body of water, such as a stream, lake, or ocean.
The ahupua’a usually contained all the natural resources that people relied on for survival,from fish and salt, to fertile land for farming taro or sweet potato, to koa and other trees growing in upslope areas. Villagers from the coast traded fish for other foods or for wood to build canoes and houses. Specialized knowledge and resources distinct to a small area were also shared among ahupua`a.
Through sharing resources and constantly working within the rhythms of their natural environment, Hawaiians enjoyed abundance and a quality lifestyle with leisure time for recreation during the harvest season of the year. This lifestyle also encouraged a high level of artistic achievement. Many crafts, including Hawaiian kapa and featherwork, were the finest in the Pacific. Hawaiians devoted themselves to competitive sport and martial arts as well as expression through dance and chant, creating rich traditions that continue today.
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Review Questions:
Define the following vocabulary, and then answer the remaining questions.
- mokupini –
- moku –
- ahupua’a –
- ali’I –
- konohiki –
- Uka –
- Kula –
- Kai –
- watershed –
- Who ultimately controlled the land in the Ancient Hawaiian system of land division?
- Explain the division of land, starting with the mokupini all the way down to the divisions of the ahupua’a. (you can draw diagrams if you prefer)
- What determined the size of the ahupua’a?
- What are some examples of the natural resources that were available in an ahupua’a?
- Explain the sharing that took place within the ahupua’a that made it so sustainable.
- What effect did the success of the ahupua’a have on the broader Hawaiian culture?