Julie Stewart Williams
Ahupuaa is a section of land most often running from the mountains to the sea. Within most ahupuaa were three areas: uka (upland), kula (plains and fields), and kai (sea and nearby land). These areas contained almost everything people needed to survive. Two words are in the word“ahupuaa:” “ahu” for altar and “puaa” for pig. An altar of stones was built on the ahupuaa boundary in honor of the god Lono. Lono was the god of peace, rain, clouds, winds, the sea, agriculture and fertility. An image of a pig’s head was carved of kukui wood and placed upon the altar. During the yearly Makahiki Festival the people brought their hookupu, or gifts, to this altar.
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