ĀINA
A Sense of Place
This book belongs to:
ALOHA! Welcome to the Māla Kaiāulu
This booklet was designed and created to share with you the importance of sense of place and your connection to ʻāina or ‘land spaces and the environment.
Why
Does
ʻIke ʻ
Āina or Sense of Place Matter?
ʻIke ʻāina translates to knowledge of land or sense of place. It is understanding where you are standing, living, exploring or visiting. In Hawaiʻi it is having a profound connection to the land and environment, which are one and the same. It is essential for our well-being and the preservation of Hawaii's delicate ecosystems. Developing a strong sense of place fosters a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for the unique natural and cultural heritage that surrounds us.
ʻĀina Provides
If we stop to think what does the land provide for us, we will be amazed at the reminder of how important ʻāina is.
Kahua - foundation, ʻāina provides our community of plants, animals, elements and people a home to live, to grow and to survive.
Waiʻāina is the caretake of wai which supports the aquifers and preserves our streams, ponds, springs and rivers. It provides the unique environment for trees to grow and create our precious ecosystems that are found nowhere else on this earth.
Meaʻai- The cultural significance and care of our food sources depend on a healthy ʻāina.
Ocean- A clean, healthy ʻāina provides rich nutrients and food for ocean life to grow and survive.
In Hawaiian traditions itʻs been said the health of the people is a reflection on the health of the land
We should care for the land as we care for our kupuna (elders). We should care for the land as we care for ourselves. People have lost the connection and ability to understand the language of ʻĀina. But as people it is essential that we learn to observe, listen and include our environment as ʻohana!
EMĀLAMA EMĀLAMA
IIKAWAI
KAWAI
TAKECARE
TAKECARE
OFWAI OFWAI
WAI WAI
IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE
EPALEKANA EPALEKANA
IIKAWAI KAWAI
PROTECTWAI PROTECTWAI
WATERSHED
A watershed is an area of land that holds and captures rainfall then drains the water into bodies of water like rivers, aquifers and streams, flowing into lakes, bays, and oceans. Maui consists of two large-scale watersheds: West Maui and East Maui. Maui's watersheds are a mix of streams, gulches, aquifers, and rivers varying in size, flow, and connectivity.
FOREST
Watersheds consist of a forest region. The forest trees are vital in cooling the atmosphere to allow rain clouds to form and provide rain in the upper mountain regions. The rain is captured by forest trees, plants, and mosses, then distributed into the ground.
AQUIFER
Aquifers are underground areas with groundwater that provide water for drinking and agriculture use. Protecting aquifers is important. The water supply gets polluted when contaminants, like chemicals or manure from animals, seep into groundwater. The quality of groundwater needs our attention and protection!
Hawaiian Wao
wao
n. A general term for inland region usually forested but not precipitous and often uninhabited. See ex., puahia and below. (PPN wao.)
wehewehe.org
Hawaiians had a deep connection with the land and environment, striving to live together in harmony with 'āina. They possessed a profound understanding of the different regions within land divisions, each with its unique purposes and relationships with the nurtured plants species and animals, contributing to the overall balance of the landscape and environment. In traditional times, individuals remained within their designated regions unless they held specific responsibilities to venture into higher or lower regions. Proper protocols and ceremonies were observed to ensure proper entry into these spaces.
SUMMIT
RAIN FOREST
HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
This involves the continuous circulation of water in the Earth-Atmosphere system
Evapotranspiration: the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants.
Condensation: the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water.
Precipitation: water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface.
Evaporation: the process that changes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapor).
Rain: water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
Infiltration: the process of water being absorbed into the ground
Ground Water: a part of the natural water cycle. Some precipitation that lands on the ground infiltrates into soil through rock material and become groundwater.
Runoff: precipitation that does not soak into the soil but instead moves on the Earth's surface toward streams or shorelines.
Plant Uptake: the process by which water in soil is drawn into plants and returned in gaseous form to the atmosphere through leaf stomata.
FOUNDATION
Healthy, Nutrient, Nurturing
LEPO MOMONA SOIL
LĀ | SUN
CARE | MALAMA
NEEDS...
WAI | WATER
MAKUAHINE MOTHER
ABABY ...SDEEN
CENTER/ UMBILICAL CORD
GOOD ENVIRONMENT
Protected & safe conditions
ALOHA | LOVE
NĀNĀ ʻANA | ATTENTION
KUPUNA | A N C E S T O R S
ʻAI | FOOD
FAMILY | ʻOHANA
KŪPONO | POSITIVE ENERGY
BE A GOOD OBSERVER
What could this mean?
You can have a sense of place and understanding of a place where ever you go by being an good observer of the land and environment around you.
OBSERVE WITHIN
Observing the land around you is just as important as observing the land within...meaning yourself. There is much to learn and appreciate about who you are and your family. Take the time to observe and learn.
ʻIke ʻāinaisunderstandingyoursurroundingsandwhereyoulive. Knowingwhereyourresourcesandnaturalresourcesareforyouto liveandsurvivewiththisland.
Whereisthenearest Hospital?School?Grocery Store?PoliceStation?Fire Station?
WhichMokupuni (Island)areyou from?
WhichMoku(district) doyoulivein?
Whereisthenearest beach?River?Mountain? Forest?Watersource?
NI’IHAU KAUA’I O’AHU
MOLOKAI
HAWAI’I
WHEREAREWENOW? HAWAIʻI
NI’IHAU KAUA’I O’AHU
Hawaiian Islands
MOLOKAI
LÅNA’I
KAHO’OLAWE
HAWAI’I
MAUI
MOKUPUNI O MAUI
The Island of Maui
MOKU O WAILUKU
The District of Wailuku
Land Division of Wailuku
KAHULUI
MĀLA KAIĀULU | YMCA
The YMCA is located within the nearest subdivision of land named ʻOwā. The māla Kaiāulu is located at the YMCA. This is where you are. Letʻs look into ʻOwā a little more to understand the landscape and environment that surrounds us. What do we see, smell, hear?
Definition and translation of ʻowā, “‘owā Var. spelling of ‘oā 1. vi. Split, cracked, burst, grooved; to split, crack.”
‘Ili lele in the ahupua‘a of Wailuku.
A conspicuous ‘owā (crack, groove) of this region is exhibited in the natural groove in the high sand dune through which a modern road has been built.”
MAUNA ʻIHI
We are also surrounded by sand. This area was known for its large Puʻ uone, sand dunes, which stretch from Waiheʻ e all the way to Waikapu and Kealia, known as Makanipālua. The map below shows the Puʻuone in white by the Maui Inland Sand Resource Qualification Study of 2018.
Remnants of these dunes once extended from Kalaekahoomano, the point directly above the Waihee stream, through Wailuku around Kahului nearly to Waikapu. These dunes that once covered much of Maui’s central valley still remain.
Wailuku
Puunene
Kahului
KealiaPond
Waiheʻ e
Kihei
Wahi Pana | Significant Cultural ‘Āina
ʻĪao
ʻĪao valley is a very culturally significant
ʻāina flourishing with history and beauty. It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui's army in his quest to unite the islands.
ʻĪao also serves as a primary fresh water source for Maui.
Waikapu, Wailuku, Wai
ʻ
ehu, Waihe
ʻ e
Nā wai ʻehā (the four waters) surround us.These are the primary water ways which supply fresh water to the ʻāīna, the rivers, the ocean and Maui community households and businesses.
Paukūkalo/ Kaʻehu
Paukūkalo was once abundant in kalo patches with the capacity to feed all of Maui and home of ancient heiau. Wailuku river flows adjacent and continues to Kaʻehu bay, a wetland fed by underground springs, the largest known hau grove and once a favorite surf spot for the aliʻi.
KILO | OBSERVATION
What is Kilo? Before we begin to open our senses to learn ʻike ʻāina, to be aware of the environment around us, to learn, to respect and to create a relationship with ʻāina, we need to learn about Kilo. Kilo is the skill and practice of observation. Native Hawaiians to this day use this skill to observe a particular environment and ʻāina (land). This skill ranges from the atmosphere above down through the clouds, the mountain tops, rivers, villages, farms, shoreline, out to the horizon and into the ocean.
Having a relationship with the environment and understanding weather patterns helps in what activities to do for the day, which plants to grow, how to tend to your family, assist within your community and care for the land to the best of your ability.
EKILO|LETʻSOBSERVE
SKY | MOON | STARS
CLOUD | RAIN OCEAN | WIND
KOMOHANA
Meakanu ʻŌiwi
There are plant classifications that help us understand the origin and the usefulness of a plant species. Here in Hawaiʻi we want to do our best to identify the Indigenous and Endemic species, while minimizing the threat of Invasive species that impact Hawaiʻis unique and fragile ecosystem.
NATIVE
Endemic and Indigenous species that occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction.
ENDEMIC
Found in only one location (Hawaiʻi) and nowhere else in the world.
INDIGENOUS
Are plant species found here, but also found in other locations around the world which arrive naturally by wind, wing (birds) or wave (ocean)
CANOE CROPS
Essential survival plants brought by early polynesian voyagers to plant and grow.
Meakanu ʻŌiwi
Native Hawaiian plants have many important uses. In traditional society plants were grown for food, medicine, shelter, clothing and everyday necessities.
Examples of plant uses: Wooden bowls, storage for items and food, canoes and canoe sails, houses, rope/cordage, hand tools, farm tools, mats, hula and music instruments, weapons and much more.
Meakanu ʻŌiwiandtheiruses
Koa - Endemic SailingCanoesand Woodentools
Māmaki - Endemic Medicinalteaandbark clothforclothing
Ulu - Indigenous Breadfruitforfoodand woodenbowls
Niu - Indigenous, canoecrop Water,food,musicdrums, shelter
Kalo - Native Hālao,connectiontoancestors Primaryfoodsource
What plants were used to make these items? Match the meakanu (plant) to the traditional item. You may match more than one plant.
Māmaki
POLY - FORESTRY
(Polynesian-Agroforestry)
“Poly-Forestry” is a unique method of reforestation developed by the ‘Ohana Hewahewa, which fuses Native Hawaiian farming styles and knowledge with modern day tools and technologies. It incorporates Native Hawaiian canoe crops, such as kalo (taro), mai’a (banana), kō (sugarcane), with Native Hawaiian forest trees such as koa and ‘ohi’a . Together these plants create an “‘Ohana Style” effect.
Polynesian: a native or inhabitant of Polynesia, or a person of Polynesian descent. Hawaiʻi is part of polynesia.
Forestry: practice of planting, managing, and caring for forests
Agroforestry: agriculture incorporating the cultivation and conservation of trees.
Agriculture: practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock
HowtoMahiʻai(HawaiianFarming)
KaulanaMahina: Understandingthe HawaiianMooncalendarandhowit affectsfloraandfauna.
DensePlanting: Positioning plantsveryclosetogether provideswindbreak,shadeto inhibitweedgrowthandreadily availablemulch.
Bio-Diversity: Plantingmany differentvarietiesofplants.
PestTrapping: Bio-diversity createsadiversionforthe pests,itconfusesand distractsthemfrom attackingvulnerablenative trees.
Mulch: Leaves,grassand woodchipssuppressweed growthandprotectsthesoil fromevaporationandholds moisture.
Kaulana Mahina Moon Phases
The moon affects the movement of all liquids. Specific environmental activities shift and change with each moon phase.
Do you see the mahina (moon)?
Draw the moon or the clouds you observe.
Invasive Species
Invasive species are Non-native species living in areas where they do not naturally exist.
Invasive species pose a significant threat to Hawaii's unique ecosystems, disrupting native flora and fauna, and contributing to habitat degradation. Your knowledge and actions can make a meaningful impact in preserving the delicate balance of our islands.
Natures Bullies
Invasive species behave like nature's bullies, seizing resources without regard for others and overshadowing vulnerable native species. As their numbers increase, they pose a threat to the well-being and safety of native species. If left unchecked, invasive species can have lasting detrimental effects on the environment and native species.
An invasive species is introduced to Hawai‛i (through human intervention) and causes significant harm in at least one of three areas:
LITTLEFIREANTS
MONGOOSE
Theintroductionofrodentsand mongooseresultedin,orcontributedto, theextinctionorendangermentofmany nativeHawaiianspecies.
Aggressivestingingantsthat harmnativeinsectsandbirds.
HAOLEKOA
......canyoufind thelittlefireants?
AXISDEER
Axisdeerposeamajorthreattoboththe environmentandeconomy.Deerstripthe landscapeofnativeplants,preventingthe regrowthofimportantforestspecies.
Ahighlyflammabletreethatisoneof theworld'smostprolificweeds,and otherinvasivespecies
Coconutrhinocerosbeetleskill palmsandotherimportant plants.
COCONUTRHINOCEROS BEETLE
Activity
Stop...breathe...be silent Look around... ...how do you feel
What do you hear?
What do you see?
What do you smell?
What do you recognize?
Can you identify a plant?
Can you identify any insects?
What is the moonphase?
How does the wind feel?l What direction is the wind?
Be a good observer
We hope to be the best person we can be for ourselves, our family and community. We must remember in order to help and contribute outward, we must look inward first. Make sure you are in good health. Be observant, be kind and be in Aloha wherever you go.
Self: Pay attention to your health, how you feel, how you speak, how you act.
Family: Remember to contribute to your family and home life. Be caring, responsible and love.
Community: Do your best to give back or help out within your community.
Land/ Environment: Be a good steward of the land. Open your eyes and look around you. Be mindful of your surroundings. To the best of your ability, leave a place better than you found it.
Below is the HĀ framework as a reminder of goals we hope each person will attain while learning and experiencing ʻIke ʻĀina
Visit Hawaii Department of Education for more information
https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/HawaiianEd ucation/Pages/HA.aspx
How can You Kōkua?
Volunteer in spaces that contribute to the community and environment
Research: take the time to learn about the environment
Stay Updated: take time to learn current events and happenings relating to your community and environment
Be Present: pay attention to the present
Learn to Identify Invasive Species:
Familiarize yourself with common invasive plants, animals, and pests in Hawaii.
Report Sightings:
Be vigilant and report any sightings of invasive species to relevant authorities.
Practice Responsible Landscaping:
Choose native plants for your garden to support local biodiversity. Avoid planting known invasive species that may spread.
Educate Others:
Share information about invasive species and raise awareness about the impact of invasive species on Hawaii's environment.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/ https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/ Hawaii Forest Action Plan 2016 Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Updates Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) Updates
https://plantpono.org
https://eastmauiwatershed.org
maunakahalawai.org
https://mauiinvasive.org/
wehewehe.org
LandscapesforPacificIslands:Creatingabundantandresilientfoodsystems. PermanentAgricultureResources,Holualoa,Hawaii.Elevitch,C.R.(ed.)2015.
Agroforestry
NativeplantersinoldHawai’i:theirlife,lore,andenvironment.Honolulu: BishopMuseumPress.Handy,E.S.C.,Handy,E.G.,&Pukui,M.K.(1991).
Agroforests-GrowingResilientCommunities.PacificIslandsClimateEducation Partnership(PCEP),Place-basedresourcesforPacificIslandschools.Pohnpei, FederatedStatesofMicronesia:IslandResearch&EducationInitiative, 2016.Taborosi,D.,Odango,E.,Barros,C.andKoh,M.W. Fromthemountainstothesea:aHawaiianlifestyle.Honolulu: KamehamehaSchoolsPress.Williams,J.S.(1997).
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NOTES
NOTES
Designed by Kanu Ka ʻIke
“Planting knowledge in the form of culture, health, education, and mana”
Contact and more information
kanukaike@gmail.com kanukaike.com | @kanukaike Maui, Hawaiʻi