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 15th century. After observing Oʻahu’s landscape and water sources, he divided the island into sections that stretched from the mountain to the sea. Ensuring that each community had access to the natural resources needed to sustain a complete agricultural system. It was the responsibility of the people to maintain the entire system by fulfilling their roles such as farmer and fisherman. This made them have the perspective that they could rely on each other to do their parts and provide nourishment to the community and the land.
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 eldest kūpuna, and it’s our responsibility to care for ʻāina with gratitude, respect, and aloha.
ʻĀina Momona: fertile, rich, fruitful
ʻĀina momona is our land being fertile, rich, and fruitful. These qualities are signs of a caring and responsible community. Reclaiming that responsibility through honoring our kūpuna knowledge and practices is how we’ll make our ʻāina momona once again for the future generations to know of its abundance.
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 children of the land and realize the responsibility that comes with that kind of reciprocal relationship.
Kuleana: Responsibility, privilege, right
As people of Hawaiʻi, we inherited the responsibility and the privilege to take care of our land.
Kupa ʻĀina: citizen, native of the land
A person who has lived on and is well acquainted with their land. This relationship is built upon consistent care, observation, and communication with the land. When doing the everyday mundane, are you able to become well connected with ʻāina.
Makaʻāinana: Citizen, subject, people that attend the land
A citizen of Hawaiʻi. Being a makaʻāinana comes with the responsibilities to care for Hawaiʻi. Being close to the land and working together to sustain a healthy community.
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 guides our actions with the knowledge and perspective that our kūpuna had, so that we can make progressive steps that honor their stories.
Paeʻāina: archipelago
A chain of islands in the pacific. Although we live on different islands, we come together to unite in the movement to feed our communities and secure Hawaiʻi's food source.
Pilina: relationship, union, connection
To come together and make everlasting connections. Just as the pili grass, in unity are we able to achieve a connected, strong, and secure Hawaiʻi.
Papa ‘ōlelo contributed by Wahine Nahale-a
All definitions sourced from Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian Language Dictionaries