Our History & Vision
The Ahupua'a
System
About Kamaole Living
Kamaole Living is a community app built to serve the residents, farmers, fishers, and visitors of the Kīhei, Maui ahupua'a — the traditional Hawaiian land division that stretches from the slopes of Haleakalā to the reef-lined shoreline of South Maui.
Our platform brings together three pillars of sustainable community life: a Resource Map of local farms, fishponds, gardens, restaurants, and community hubs; a Peer-to-Peer Marketplace where neighbors trade fresh produce, seafood, plants, crafts, and services; and a Community Events calendar for beach clean-ups, farmers markets, volunteer days, and cultural celebrations.
The app is built and maintained by the Kamaole Ahupua'a community team — a group of Kīhei residents dedicated to reviving the ancient ahupua'a model of living sustainably within your watershed. The Ancient Hawaiian Ahupua'a Land Management System was established on Maui over 1,000 years ago in response to growing populations and limited natural resources. Today, we blend that ancestral wisdom with modern GIS technology, drone monitoring, and cooperative digital tools. Whether your family is multi-generational Hawaiian, a transplant local, or a global visitor — join us in our vision where the people, the environment, and the quality of life are priority.
Mauka to Makai
The Ahupua'a is a traditional Hawaiian land division that runs from the mountain summit (mauka) to the sea (makai). Each ahupua'a was a self-sustaining community, providing everything its people needed — fresh water, fertile farmland, fishponds, and ocean resources.
Community Management
Managed by the Konohiki (land steward), resources were shared cooperatively. Farmers in the uplands traded taro and sweet potato for fish from coastal families. This system of mutual exchange sustained thriving communities for over 1,000 years.
Sustainable Agriculture
Traditional farming practices like lo'i kalo (taro patches) and auwai (irrigation channels) worked with the natural water flow of the watershed. These ancient systems are the blueprint for our modern sustainable agriculture goals.
Ocean Stewardship
Fishponds (loko i'a) were ingenious aquaculture systems that allowed fish to grow in protected waters. Kapu (seasonal restrictions) ensured fish populations remained healthy, a practice we honor through modern conservation.
Modern Day Vision
The Modern Day Kamaole Ahupua'a integrates GIS technology and drone monitoring with ancestral knowledge. We promote local food security, ecosystem restoration, and cooperative trading — allowing our community to thrive without depending on outside resources.
Ridge to Reef
Our approach manages the full watershed — from Haleakalā's slopes through upcountry farms, across the Kīhei coastal plain, to our coral reefs. What happens mauka affects makai, and we steward the entire system as one.
Learn More
Visit our website for the full story, GIS projects, drone data, and ways to get involved.
KamaoleAhupuaa.com