Kihikuni
Kihikuni is a traditional Hawaiian term referring to a method of agricultural irrigation and water management used by indigenous practices on the Hawaiian Islands. The word encompasses both the physical structures and the cultural principles associated with water distribution in ancient Hawaiian society. These systems often involved a network of sluice gates, channels, and reservoirs designed to divert and regulate freshwater flow from streams and rainfall to agricultural fields, supporting the cultivation of staple crops such as taro (kalo), coconuts, and bananas.
Historically, kihikuni systems played a vital role in Hawaiian subsistence and societal organization. They exemplified sustainable
In ecological terms, kihikuni contributed to the health of freshwater ecosystems by managing runoff and preventing
Today, remnants of kihikuni infrastructure can still be observed in various parts of Hawaii, and some communities