Ahupua'a Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the terminology, regional ecology, and cultural management systems of the Hawaiian Ahupua'a as detailed in the lecture notes.

Ahupua'a

A stone altar shaped in a pig's head that marks the boundaries for every land division; its size is determined by the sustaining resources available.

KAI

The ocean section of the Ahupua'a where seaweed, fish, and shellfish are found, and activities like paddling and surfing occur.

KULA

The open land area of the Ahupua'a where taro, sweet potato, and breadfruit are grown, and where a heiau is located for worship.

UKA

The mountain region of the Ahupua'a used for getting firewood to make canoes and for growing dryland kalo and potatoes.

Wai

Fresh water; it is the foundation of the Ahupua'a and is considered very important for a thriving system.

Wai Wai

Wealth or abundance; a term used when living with an abundance of water in a thriving system.

Algal Bloom

A wasteful byproduct consisting of intensely nitrified water that disrupts ocean ecosystems like reefs and fish.

Wao Kanaka

The habitation and cultivation zone where everything needed on a daily basis is grown.

Wao Wā'lau

The zone where non-daily essentials are gathered, including construction supplies, hardwood, medicine, fuel sources, and dyes.

Wao Nahele

A very remote zone containing native biodiversity, used by bird catchers or for specific wood needed for canoes.

Wao Kele

A remote zone located below the clouds that is saturated, cold, and uncomfortable for habitation.

Wao Akua

A sacred forest located above the clouds containing the core watershed where access is restricted and no extractions are allowed.

The Nui

The coconut tree; its fronds are used for weaving, husks for fire, fibers for ropes, shells for instruments/utensils, and trunk for spears, canoes, and drums.

Heiau

A place of worship located in the Kula (open land) section of the Ahupua'a.

Kukui trees

Trees found in both the Kula and UKA regions, specifically valued as hardwood in the mountains.

Pili grass

A type of grass found in the KULA (open land) region.

Noni trees

Plants/trees found in the KAI (ocean) region.

Dryland kalo

A food source grown in the UKA (mountains) region.

Native biodiversity

Found within the Wao Nahele zone of the Ahupua'a.

Herbivore fish

Fish farmed in Hawaiian ponds to eat algal blooms, preventing them from flowing into the ocean and providing a food supply.