Dear Diary, 10th September 2011
The word for today is Ahuapa'a. This is a Hawaiian word that encompasses an area from the mountains into the sea, usually separated from adjoining ahuapa'a by mountains or hills. Within this watershed a complete ecosystem exists. From the mountains come water, trees for building and firewood, and various animals and plants for food. From the valley in between people till the soil for crops and raise domesticated animals for food. From the sea a bounty of fish, edible seaweed, and marine life further enrich the diet of the people of the ahuapa'a. Within the ahuapa'a the community can live a self sufficient lifestyle.
The village of Kirikiri is like an ahuapa'a. From it's mountains nature provides fresh water plus plants and animals for sustenance. Added bounty can be found in the lowland where crops are grown for food and domesticated animals are raised for consumption. Plants can even be grown to provide material for clothing. The riches of the sea provide an added source of nutrients for the people.