During the times of ancient Hawaii each island was a called a mokupuni each of which was divided into several moku, the largest land division. Usually wedge-shpaed from mountain to shore moku were further divided into ahupua'a that were narrower wedge-shaped divisions. The size of each ahupua'a depended on the resources of the area and were ruled by an ali'i or local chief. The area of land was a self-sustaining unit that ran from the uplands to the sea and following the natural boundaries of the watershed. Land, water and ocean use were regulated and stewardship of the land was formalized through a kapu system.

  
 
    The name ahupua'a comes from ahu, an altar of stones, upon which an image of the head of a pua'a, pig, was placed. The head was carved from kukui wood and painted red-brown with 'alaea or ochre-colored earth. The altars marked the boundaries of each ahupua'a and also served as an area for collection of tribute of items for the chiefs.
 
 

I 'aina no ka 'aina i ke ali'i, ai waiwai no ka 'aina i ke kanaka.

The land remains the land
because of the chiefs, and
prosperity come fo the land
because of the common people.

  
 
    Ahupua'a contained most of the resources ancient Hawaiians needed to survive, from the fertile uplands for farming to the coastal reefs for fishing. Villagers from the uplands and coast traded with one another to share the resources. Overall this self-sustaining system was nurtured by a belief system that worked within the rhythms of the natural environment and the utmost respect for land.