HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR3-21-17Mayor
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 21, 2017
SARAH BLANE, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Tel (808) 241-4914
Fax (808) 241-6877
Ahupua‘a signs installed along Kaua‘i’s roadways
LĪHU'E – Do you know what moku and ahupuaʻa you live in? You will soon find out, as
ahupua’a signs are now being installed along Kaua‘i’s roadways!
The ahupua‘a and moku signs are part of Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa, a cultural heritage
program that aims to raise awareness about Hawai‘i’s ancient land division system, which was
based on the availability of natural resources. Additionally, the program seeks to educate
residents about their respective moku and ahupua‘a.
“It is my hope that the people of Kaua‘i will use this knowledge to actively participate in
discussions on social issues, and issues related to the environment, agriculture, economy,
culture, and development,” stated Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “I believe that this information will
help all of us make better decisions about our future,”
Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa represents a partnership between the County of Kaua‘i and the
Kauai Nui Kuapapa Hui, a group of professionals with expertise in Hawaiian history,
archaeology and research.
The historical moku and ahupuaʻa land management system was established by Kauaʻi’s
King Manokalanipō in the 1400s. The program was launched two years ago with the installation
of the moku signs in Kona, Puna, Koʻolau, Halele’a and Nāpali. Niihau’s moku sign was placed
at Ko‘opueo, also known as MacArthur Park, which looks out toward Niihau.
In January, five ahupua’a signs were placed in Kokeʻe. Earlier this month, four more
signs were installed on the South Shore, including: Paʻa; Weliweli; Kōloa; and Lāwaʻi. The
ahupua‘a signs in the moku of Haleleʻa and Kona are currently being installed, with Koʻolau and
Puna to follow. Upon completion of installation, all 54 ahupuaʻa on the island will be recognized.
The project also aims to incorporate educational signage at 24 of the county’s bus
shelters as well as neighborhood centers across the island.
The installation of the signs is a collaborative effort between the county, state
Department of Transportation, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of
State Parks, and private landowners.
Finally, in partnership with the state Department of Education (DOE) and Kaua‘i
Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki, the Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa initiative will be incorporated
into the DOE’s Na Hopena A‘o program.
Each of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau’s 20 public and charter schools will receive information on its
respective moku and ahupua‘a, and will be given tools to apply the logos throughout the
schools. Teachers and students will be encouraged to use the historical borders throughout
their school projects for continuous cultural and place-based learning.
PHOTO: Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. assists the Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa team and a road crew with
installing the ‘Kalapakī’ ahupua‘a sign along Kūhiō Highway in Līhu‘e on Friday, March 17.
###
Nā Hopena A‘o (“HĀ”) is a framework of outcomes that reflects the Department of Education’s
core values and beliefs in action throughout the public educational system of Hawaii. The
Department of Education works together as a system that includes everyone in the broader
community to develop the competencies that strengthen a sense of belonging, responsibility,
excellence, aloha, total-well-being and Hawaii (“BREATH”) in ourselves, students and others.
With a foundation in Hawaiian values, language, culture and history, HĀ reflects the uniqueness
of Hawaii and is meaningful in all places of learning. HĀ supports a holistic learning process
with universal appeal and application to guide learners and leaders in the entire school
community.
http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/HawaiianEducatio
n/Pages/HA.aspx