‘ōlelo no‘eau:
Nana I Mua, Nana I Hope – Looking Forward, Looking Back
Tomorrow’s Ahupuaʻa will learn from the traditions, values, and aspirations of the host culture to develop a sustainable community that celebrates the balance of its environmental, social-political, economic, and cultural resources.
We will look to the wisdom of the past to build a bright new future.
Looking back at traditional land use practices in Hawai‘i has inspired us as we also look forward. Since Turtle Bay Resort is set on over 840 acres with another 490 acres of agricultural land, mauka of the resort, it is uniquely positioned to create a contemporary interpretation of the ahupua‘a system.
The ahupua‘a system was designed to maintain harmony between man and nature in all aspects of life (ecologically, socially, spiritually, etc). Defined to include the mauka, kula and makai areas from mountaintop to sea, and between ridgelines, they were like self-contained towns, each with its own unique characteristics relating to the cultural, environmental, economic and social aspects. Some of the key elements of an ahupua‘a system included the following.
- Self-Sufficiency. Land divisions were established to give each ahupua‘a nearly all required resources to survive.
- Differentiators. Each area would have or develop its unique aspects that would identify one ahupua‘a from another. Elements varied from geographic and natural elements, to the special customs and skills of the people of the ahupua‘a .
- Framework. A foundation of core values and methods to ensure the survival and harmony of the people, the land, and its resources. Kapu (prohibitions) & kānāwai (laws) were established and enforced by konohiki (ahupua‘a headmen) in order to manage resources.
- Perpetuation. Long-term success requires cooperation, education, and responsibility.
In today’s context, these goals remain valid, albeit with contemporary considerations. As we look at the future of Turtle Bay Resort in this light, we first recognize the three primary ahupua‘a that we encompass.
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Ahupua‘a ‘O ‘Ōpana-Kawela invokes Mālama I Ka Wai – caring for the water, from the adored Kawela Bay with its potential to be a marine conservation area to the source of fresh water from the ‘Ōpana wells.
Ahupua‘a ‘O Hanaka‘oe invokes Ho‘okipa; Ka Maka‘āinana – hospitality of the people. This is the location of the current hotel and the core area of the resort.
Ahupua‘a ‘O Kahuku invokes Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina – the life of the land, with a long history of habitation and wide, flat makai areas.
The resort master plan has been developed with consideration of and respect for these profound sources of influence.
A more detailed understanding of how the ahupua‘a system has been applied to creating the resort master plan can be found here.
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