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2.Background
<br /> At last, when all Ka-ua-ko`e-kocc's potato slips were in the ground, and had had ample time to
<br /> become firmly rooted, but when nothing was planted in the fields of his deriders, the rain came
<br /> pouring down,and lasted for a considerable time.Hastily those who had made sport of the old man
<br /> planted their fields. But all their potatoes produced nothing but an abundant growth of leaves
<br /> (palula), and very poor tubers. The old farmer of whom they had made sport, however, grew an
<br /> excellent crop of potatoes.
<br /> From that day to this the old farmer's planting field is known as Ka-ua-ko`eko`e, thus keeping in
<br /> mind the lesson taught,and commemorating its owner of long ago.
<br /> Ethnohistorical research conducted by Kelly (1983) identified four vegetation zones (Table 3) within Kona
<br /> spanning from sea level to about the 4,000-foot elevation. By maximizing the climate and resources of each zone,
<br /> Kona's native farmers were able to nurture a diverse range of plants suited to the specific conditions of each.
<br /> Furthermore, in Kona where there are no perennial freshwater streams, the farmers were dependent on rainfall. As
<br /> such cultivating crops across a range of vegetation zones helped to ensure a year-round production of crops even if
<br /> the environmental conditions in one zone became unfavorable. This method of crop production safeguarded against
<br /> famine and is what allowed people to thrive. These zones correspond with bands of vegetation that run parallel to the
<br /> coast,changes in elevation,rainfall,and flora.These vegetation zones were not fixed in nature rather they were semi-
<br /> ephemeral divisions within an ahupua'a that shifted with the seasonal changes. Based on the information presented
<br /> in Table 3,the project area is within the kula zone where the primary crops that were cultivated included `uala(sweet
<br /> potato), wauke (paper mulberry), and ipu (gourd). Cordy (1995) further added that local lava flow patterns had a
<br /> tremendous impact on the patterning of the agricultural fields. Older, 'a'a flows,including those found in the project
<br /> area,typically have a more substantial soil base while younger pahoehoe flows can have very little soil accumulation.
<br /> Table 1. Traditional planting zones.
<br /> Zone Annual Rainfall(cm) Elevation(ft.)Range Primary Crops
<br /> Kula 75-125 Sea level-500 `Uala,wauke,and ipu
<br /> Kalu`ulu 100-140 500-1,000 `Ulu, `uala,and wauke
<br /> 'Apa'a 140-200 1,000-2,500 Dry land kalo, `uala,kr,and ko
<br /> Aim`u >200 2,500-4,000 Mai'a(both plantain and banana)
<br /> While `uala was an important staple food wauke's fibrous bark was harvested and pounded to make kapa(bark
<br /> cloth) that was used for everyday and ceremonial wear, and the ipu, when dried, was used as containers and hula
<br /> (traditional dance) implements (Abbott 1992). In providing a general description of the kula zone, Cordy (1995:5)
<br /> related that:
<br /> This was the land from immediately behind the shore extending inland. It was generally dry and
<br /> open land with few trees and considerable grass cover. In much of Central Kona, soil development
<br /> is limited in these areas,and there is a fair amount of exposed lava bedrock. This land was planted
<br /> primarily in scattered sweet potato patches, and it converted to pasture useages [sic] fairly by the
<br /> mid-1800s.
<br /> Aside from the practical approaches to cultivation,Kona's native farmers supplemented their hard work with pule
<br /> (prayers)to invoke certain deities to encourage rainfall, and to promote fertility and abundance. The Kona District is
<br /> closely associated with Lono,who was one of the four major akua(deities),and was considered the"rain maker"and
<br /> associated with fertility(Handy et al. 1991:333).Lono was often associated with the Kona District for it was here that
<br /> "Lono was believed to have lived in ancient times" and where he introduced food plants such as kalo (taro), `uala
<br /> (sweet potato), uhi (yams), ko (sugar cane), mai'a (banana) and 'awa (kava) (Handy et al. 1991:329). It was from
<br /> Hikiau Heiau in Kealakekua that Lono departed,promising to return.According to Kalokuokamaile,a native of Kona,
<br /> temples dedicated to Lono were established throughout the district to invoke rain and fertility, and as such he was
<br /> closely associated with agricultural practices of Kona(in Handy et al. 1991).
<br /> Lono was also embodied in the southerly(kona)cyclonic storms that bring thunder, lightning, and heavy rain—
<br /> a season that coincided with ho`oilo (wet season) and the annual roughly four-month-long festival called Makahiki
<br /> where honor was given to Lono. Given the subject ahupua'a of Kapala`alaea is the name of one of several gods
<br /> associated with the annual Makahiki ceremonies, it is perhaps appropriate to include a brief discussion about this
<br /> important festival and its connection to the god named Kapala`alaea. The yearly rising of the constellation Makali`i
<br /> (Pleiades) in the east during sunset, heralds the arrival of Lono and the opening of Makahiki. As detailed by Malo
<br /> (1903:56)
<br /> CIA for the Ld'Ipala Makai Planned Unit Development,Kapala`alaea 2,North Kona,Hawaii 15
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