21st-Century Ahupuaʻa

Loʻi kalo and Makana mountain, Hāʻena, Kauaʻi. Photo credit: Doug Herman

Evening Presentation:

From the 14^th to the 18^th centuries, Native Hawaiians employed a land-and-sea management system based on land divisions (ahupuaʻa) extending from the mountains to the sea.  These were grouped into larger, semi-self-sustaining groups called moku.  The moku-ahupuaʻa system ensured access to necessary resources and the fruitful production of agriculture and fisheries.  These land divisions cut through all the major climatic-resource areas produced by altitudinal zonation.  In each ahupuaʻa, resources were carefully managed by an overseer.  While this system slowly fell into disrepair during the 19^th century and was largely replaced by U.S. land laws after 1900, traditional practices are now slowly being reclaimed.  The use of traditional knowledge is being merged with contemporary science, while retaining the critical Hawaiian value of “mālama ʻaina”—take care of the land.  Dr. Doug Herman, Executive Director of the Pacific Worlds Institute, returns to the Lyman Museum to explain the traditional system, and examine two contemporary case studies where conservation and traditional food production are being brought back:  Hāʻena ahupuaʻa on Kauaʻi and Heʻeia ahupuaʻa on Oʻahu.  He then considers what a 21^st-century ahupuaʻa might look like, given the opportunity to create one.  This compelling presentation is a must-see on either of two occasions:  Monday evening, June 3, or the following afternoon, June 4.

Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.  Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge!

Seating is limited; first come, first seated.

ON MONDAY EVENINGS ONLY, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School,

Kapiolani Street entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall.

On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM.  E komo mai!

Lyman Museum ~ 276 Haili St ~ Hilo, Hawai‘i ~ (808) 935-5021 www.lymanmuseum.org ~ www.facebook.com/lymanmuseum The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i to tell the story of its islands and its people.