Uncovering the Impact of the Ahupua'a System on Hawaiian Ecosystem Revival: A Closer Look at Kilauea and Fracking
- wearepuna
- Jan 1
- 6 min read
Hawaii has long been celebrated as a paradise. Yet, its delicate ecosystems face serious threats. The Ahupua'a system, a traditional Hawaiian practice, provides a powerful framework for restoring the health of these ecosystems. This post discusses how community involvement is crucial in these efforts, especially in addressing the effects of fracking near Kilauea volcano.
Understanding the Ahupua'a System
The Ahupua'a system is a sustainable land management technique used by Native Hawaiians for centuries. It divides land from the mountains to the ocean into sections that encompass diverse ecosystems. Each Ahupua'a provides essential resources, including freshwater, agricultural land, and coastal access for fishing.
For instance, the Ahupua'a of Moʻokini in Hawaii Island features diverse environments, including uplands with taro fields, midland valleys for farming, and coastal areas rich in marine life. This connection between ecosystems highlights the need for community stewardship. Residents who engage with their environment gain a deeper understanding of seasonal patterns and the native species that thrive there.
Restoring the Ahupua'a system could guide communities in their efforts to heal Hawaiian ecosystems. Local management allows those most impacted by environmental changes to make decisions that affect their lives. This localized approach enhances community resilience, helping them tackle ecological challenges effectively.
The Impact of Fracking on Kilauea Volcano
Kilauea is not only a significant natural landmark but also holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Native Hawaiians. Unfortunately, fracking in the region threatens the integrity of the volcano, the surrounding ecosystems, and local communities, and noone in power is brave enough to stand up to it.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, injects extremely toxic fluid into the ground at high pressure to extract oil or gas. This process poses serious environmental risks, such as water contamination, ground instability, habitat destruction, and deteriorating air quality. Research indicates that up to 25% of fracking sites face potential groundwater contamination.
The region around Kilauea is highly vulnerable, leading to substantial impacts from industrial activities. Officials attempt to conceal the major health problems and environmental damage happening in Puna, Hawaii, in the lower east rift zone of the Kilauea volcano, under the deceptive guise of clean energy.
The lack of regulation concerning fracking in Hawaii increases the associated risks. Local communities often suffer the impacts, and as of January 2025, they continue to plead for attention in Hawaii County. The complete disregard for human rights, environmental rights, and overall safety has turned the protection of Kilauea and its ecosystems into a community issue. The cultural ties to the land and resources emphasize the urgent necessity for measures to protect these regions.
The Role of Community in Ecosystem Revival
Reviving Hawaiian ecosystems relies heavily on community engagement and cooperation among diverse groups. The Ahupua'a system reinforces the idea that communities and ecosystems are interconnected. Thus, restoration efforts should be grounded in local knowledge and values.
One effective way to encourage participation is through educational programs centered on traditional practices. For example, workshops teaching native plant restoration and sustainable fishing methods can empower residents. These hands-on learning opportunities create a stronger sense of agency within the community.
There are a few worthwhile programs in the area, such as imu building workshops, but unfortunately, most are sponsored or funded in some way by Puna Geothermal Venture. For instance, Mainstreet Pahoa is heavily funded and closely associated with Puna Geothermal Venture, even though the community they serve, namely Pahoa, is being culturally erased and harmed daily by this entity. It's utterly shocking. Returning to the native organizations sponsored by it: Accepting any form of funding from the desecration and harm of our Hawaiian Volcano goddess Madame Pele contradicts all that is aloha ʻāina and goes against their own culture and values.
We need to realize this and start aligning our missions correctly, to help madame Pele from now on. its never to late to stop accepting PGV sponsorships and any form of money from them . We can come together once and for all to help our home before it really is too late.
With the new geothermal initiatives, if we do not stand up against this injunction being appealed to the supreme court, it is certain that Puna and Kilauea volcano will be forever changed. The year 2018 provided significant insights, which we have documented with the help of volcano scientists and experts in the unprecedented 2024 Hawaii geothermal injunction, in a clear manner so that even a keiki (child) can grasp the situation. The fact that the judge dismissed the community's right to a fair trial (a constitutional right that cannot be legally disregarded, along with all the harm and decades of community declarations) only highlights the severity of this issue (in my opinion, he should be disbarred). - Jasmine Steiner KahuPuna
Communities can also come together to hold organizations accountable for their environmental impact. Here in Puna we need to start doing this soon. This could mean attending public forums and engaging in discussions about fracking to advocate for stronger regulations that protect the area.
Integrating Traditional Knowledge with Modern Science
To effectively revive Hawaiian ecosystems, it is essential to combine traditional ecological wisdom with modern scientific approaches. The Ahupua'a system encapsulates insights gathered over generations, addressing environmental issues with tried-and-true methods.
For instance, traditional farming methods such as dryland taro cultivation promote biodiversity while reducing soil erosion. Statistics show that farms utilizing crop rotation and cover cropping can increase soil health by over 20%. By combining indigenous techniques with modern practices like permaculture, communities can develop even more sustainable farming methods.
My only worry or concern is the toxins that have been saturating our Puna ground now for 40 years. How does this affect our farmlands? We know it affects the water immensly, Lbut noone will study it in Puna. so what about the soil for farming?
Many uneducated and narrow-minded individuals enjoy ridiculing and dismissing this entire subject as a "conspiracy" (lmao), when it's actually based on science and proven facts. I believe it's challenging for some to understand, or it frightens them because they hold a misguided belief that we NEED geothermal energy (news flash, we absolutely don't; the planet stopped relying on it before the advent of nuclear energy, and for good reason). However, when you present the world with the answers right in front of them and they still refuse to educate themselves, there's nothing you can do. Just hope that one day they will realize how foolish it was to let their fear of the unknown prevail...
Forming partnerships between traditional knowledge holders and scientific experts can lead to innovative solutions tailored to the challenges faced by Hawaiian ecosystems. This collaboration respects cultural practices while enhancing ecosystem health. It must be a priority down here in lower Puna, out past Pahoa in the actual radius, that being bringing culture back to the forefronts. I believe that this and soil testing/ water testing is the start to bringing back ahupua'a into our daily lives.
The Importance of Environmental Advocacy
As communities engage with their ecosystems to protect their ancestral lands, environmental advocacy becomes vital. Advocacy educates the public about the impacts of fracking and encourages collective efforts to influence policy.
By forming coalitions and grassroots movements, communities can strengthen their voices to demand accountability and effective environmental regulation. Advocacy efforts might include organizing petitions and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting sustainability.
Technology can amplify these efforts, allowing communities to collect data, raise awareness, and support their advocacy initiatives. Social media platforms enable storytelling that highlights the challenges facing Kilauea, encouraging wider participation in ecosystem revival projects.
Moving Forward Together
Reviving Hawaiian ecosystems is a complex challenge, requiring a united approach focused on community involvement. The Ahupua'a system serves as a foundational guide for sustainable resource management rooted in cultural practices and community engagement.
By addressing the environmental challenges posed by fracking around Kilauea, communities can work together to protect their heritage while revitalizing their ecosystems. Empowering local voices, combining traditional knowledge with modern science, and advocating for sound environmental policies are critical steps toward a sustainable future for Hawaii’s landscapes.
Through commitment and collaboration, communities can preserve their unique cultural identities and forge a thriving environment for future generations. The journey to revive Hawaiian ecosystems reflects how returning to principles rooted in tradition can lead us toward a more sustainable world.
Aloha and thanks for being here ,
please see last few blog articles before this one and check out the website while your here! please help mālama tūtū Pele by staying tuned for the appeals to Supreme court hearing update . #aolepgv #hawaiinews #geothermalkills #ormatinhawaii #corruptiongalore #alohaactivism
KahuPuna
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