First of 34 ahupua‘a signs installed in Kula Uka
A blessing is held prior to the installation of the first Maui Nui Ahupua‘a Project sign in Kula Uka, the Upcountry area in the Moku ‘O Kula, on Tuesday. Photos courtesy of Maui Food Technology Center
The first sign installed in Kula Uka pictures the pueo, one of the native species associated with the ‘A‘apueo Ahupua‘a.
A blessing is held prior to the installation of the first Maui Nui Ahupua‘a Project sign in Kula Uka, the Upcountry area in the Moku ‘O Kula, on Tuesday. Photos courtesy of Maui Food Technology Center
The first sign installed in Kula Uka pictures the pueo, one of the native species associated with the ‘A‘apueo Ahupua‘a.
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The Maui News
Organizers of a project that aims to bring awareness to the ahupua'a system of land division and the unique history of each area are working to install 34 signs this year around Upcountry Maui.
A blessing and installation of the first Maui Nui Ahupua'a Project sign in the Kula Uka was held on Tuesday.
The first sign, located on the northern boundary of the 'A'apueo Ahupua'a at the corner of Kula Highway and 'A'apueo Parkway in Pukalani, is one of 34 signs that will be installed this year, according to a news release on Friday. It depicts the pueo, one of the native species associated with the 'A'apueo Ahupua'a.
Since the summer of 2019, Vernon Kalanikau, project coordinator/designer of the Maui Nui Ahupua'a Project, has been working with the Upcountry community to gather mo'olelo (stories, legend, history) to help design signs representing each of the 17 ahupua'a in Kula Uka in the Upcountry area in the Moku 'O Kula. Two signs will be installed on the boundaries for each ahupua'a on various county roads.
"We extend a big mahalo to the Kula Community Association, Pukalani Community Association, Waiohuli and Keokea Hawaiian Homestead Associations, Upcountry residents and project stakeholders who provided their feedback on the flora, fauna and colors that represent these ahupua'a," said Kalanikau. "Each ahupua'a is unique and the community's feedback was invaluable in helping to shape the design and location of these signs."
Starting in 2018, Kalanikau also helped coordinate the installation of ahupua'a signs in Kula Kai, which covers Kihei.
The Kula Uka signage project that started this month was supported by Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura and a cultural heritage grant from the Maui County Office of Economic Development, the news release said.
"I was born and raised on Maui and have seen many changes to our island and our community through the years," Sugimura said. "What has kept me as well as many of other residents connected to the islands is our culture. Educational efforts like this Maui Nui Ahupua'a Signage Project reminds us of our roots and the importance of passing on stories about our islands' history and unique sense of place to future generations."
Maui Food Technology Center also assists Kalanikau with the administrative work, community outreach and marketing.
Hokuao Pellegrino of Noho'ana Farm in Waikapu said that the work that Kalanikau and Luana Mahi of the Maui Food Technology Center are doing "is critical."
"Not just to us as kanaka and kupa of this mokupuni of Maui, but also for the next generation and those that now call Maui their home, who have the important responsibility of learning about this place," Pellegrino said.
For more information about the project, visit mauinui ahupuaaproject.com.