Ahupua‘a: was a political division of the lands in Hawai‘i. The ali‘i (kings) divided the land that they held into sections that were responsible for annual tributes to the royalty. Chiefs ruled the land and were appointed by the Ali‘i‘nui or high chief.

Land divisions usually extended from the uplands to the sea. The word derives from the boundary marker, a pile (ahu) of stones surmounted by an image of a pig (puaʻa), to indicate where tribute was laid on the altar as tax to the chief.

Each ahupua‘a contained nearly all the resources that were required for survival. They were often entire valleys with the ridges serving as boundaries.

English Translation: Land division