The Hawaiian structure for island regions is based on the Ahupuaʻa. All islands, Mokupuni, follow this basic principle, with a collection of ʻIli and Lele. Oʻahu was organized into six Moku districts. Kona – which is southern, and Moanalua is the northern most ahupuaʻa. ‘Ewa, Wai’anae, Waialua, Koʻolauloa, and Ko’olaupoko made the six Moku.

Ahupuaʻa were generally wedge shaped and usually began at the crest of the mountain running down to the sea but sometimes reaching over the mountain into another region. (Wai’anae) Each Ahupuaʻa provided farming, fishing, gathering and water access. During the annual Makahiki Pilgrimage, this clockwise island-circuit, kaʻapuni, of the Mokupuni, was one of the routes.

Ahupuaʻa comes from the ʻAltar of the Pigʻ. At the border between these land sections an altar was created adorned with the head of a pig, sometimes a carved image from Kukui tree trunk to symbolize Akua Lono and his farming icon Kamapua’a.

Our Ahupuaʻa sits at the center edge of Oʻahu island and the beginning of the southern district of Kona. It is a large section including two valleys Uka flowing to the wide Kula plain rimmed by the reef of Keʻehi. Moanalua refers to these two wide expanses of ʻĀina(land) and Kai(seashore), a poetic reference to an ocean of fresh water and sea water. Historically Moanalua was an important food resource. filled with taro patches, fishponds, koa iʻa, ulu and maiʻa groves all supported by a fresh water delta. Most of these near shore areas have been filled in, what is now known as Māpunapuna industrial district and the Daniel K Inouye Honolulu International Airport. Māpunapuna literally means bubbling spring.

These twin valleys are the nurturing arms of our watershed. They have been sheltered from development and where we focus most of our education and stewardship activities. Protecting, preserving and perpetuating a vibrant environment ensures our ability to thrive.

• Kamananui – the large empowering spirit
• Kamanaiki – the small empowering spirit