As you explore the content of our website we hope that you will feel inspired to observe the elements of your own communities, viewing the natural world surrounding you through the lens of our kūpuna. In this way, we build upon the traditional knowledge systems of our ancestors while strengthening our own understanding of Hawaiʻi's natural resources. This valuable set of knowledge gives us the foundation needed to navigate through the current resource management issues facing today's generation.
ʻĀPAʻA
WELINA MAI,
PURPOSE
This website was created with the intent to aid its visitors in gaining valuable insight into the vast and diverse ways in which our Native Hawaiian ancestors viewed the environment of their island home. Our kūpuna recognized the abundant resources of their ʻāina and acknowledged its priceless value.
This site provides a breakdown of the land and sea divisions acknowledged by our kūpuna. These divisions have been made accessible to us through the work of Native Hawaiian scholar, David Malo. Malo's work documents and preserves the vast knowledge of our kūpuna. The land and sea divisions found on this site are aided by images taken throughout various places in Hawaiʻi. In addition to understanding the traditional naming of Hawaiʻi's landscapes and seascapes, we have provided a brief section that introduces a few Native Hawaiian laws that reaffirms our rights to these precious resources.
me ka haʻahaʻa,
Kalena Lee-Agcaoili, Amber Souza, & Kalia Tamashiro
EXPLORE
Nā Māhele o ka ʻĀina
Nā Māhele o ke Kai
Nā Kānāwai
