Pilina 'Ai Papa ‘Ōlelo
Papa ‘Ōlelo (vocabulary)
Ahupuaʻa: land division extending from uplands all the way to the sea
The ahupuaʻa system was established by Maʻilikūkahi, the chief of Oʻahu in the 14th century. He notably went around Oʻahu analyzing the land and created land divisions around the water sources (rivers and springs) he observed and they stretched from the mountain tops all the way down to the sea. This division made sure that each community had a full agricultural system that provided the basic resources they needed. It was the responsibility of the hoa ʻāina to maintain the entire system by fulfilling their roles as mahi ʻai, poʻe lawaiʻa, and such. This made them have the perspective to realize that their work no matter the scale has an effect on the bigger system.
ʻĀina: land, earth
ʻĀina is the land that provides for us the food and resources we need to sustain our lives for many generations. ʻĀina is our kūpuna, and it’s our responsibility to care for ʻāina with gratitude and aloha.
ʻĀina Momona: fertile, rich, fruitful
ʻĀina momona is our land being fertile, rich, and fruitful. These attributes are signs of a caring and responsible community.
Hoa ʻĀina: stewards, dwellers, tenants of the land
We have the privilege to live on Hawaiʻi’s land. We must not think of ourselves as simply occupants but as companions/children of the land and realize the responsibility that comes with that kind of reciprocal relationship.
Kupa ʻĀina: citizen, native of the land
A person who has lived on and is well acquainted with their land. Only by going out to work every day, doing the everyday mundane, are you able to really become well acquainted with ʻāina.
Moʻolelo: story, tale, history, tradition
Moʻo: succession, lineage, story, tradition, legend
ʻŌlelo: language, speech
Moʻolelo are the speeches, thoughts, language, knowledge, and stories that we’ve passed down in succession and within lineages. Moʻolelo informs our actions with the knowledge and perspective that our kūpuna had, so that we can make even more progressive steps.
Paeʻāina: archipelago
A group of islands. Although we live on and work on different islands, we are united in the movement to feed our communities and secure Hawaiʻi's food source.
Pilina: relationship, union, connection
To come together and make everlasting connections.
Papa ‘ōlelo contributed by Wahine Nahale-a