Kaua‘i Nui Kuapapa

Moku of Kaua‘i

Grounded in the time-honored concepts of mālama (to care for) and kuleana (responsibility), this land management system was established by Kaua‘i’s King Manokalanipō in the 1400s. Today, this project honors Kaua‘i’s unique culture and recognizes moku (districts) and ahupua‘a (land divisions) of the era of King Kaumuali‘i’s reign.

The following are six moku of Kaua‘i:

Kona: The color association for Kona is red, like the bright-colored dirt of Waimea Canyon.

Halele‘a: Green is the predominant color of the land of Halele‘a. There is no place in this moku that is not green.

Puna: The color yellow is associated with royalty, like the royal feather capes of Kaua‘i’s ali‘i (chiefs) and mō‘ī (monarchs).

Nāpali: This is the color of the ocean on this coast, which is a bright turquoise blue in the sunshine.

Ko‘olau: This color is a cross between red and purple, Kaua‘i’s color since the late 1940s.

Ni‘ihau: An earthy tan, this color signifies connectedness to the land.

Local Tip Drive With Aloha

The idea of kuleana (responsibility) applies not only to our connection to the land and culture of Kaua‘i, but to personal safety. We’d appreciate your kōkua (assistance) in observing some traffic customs followed by Kaua‘i residents:

• Drive slowly.

• No tailgating.

• No unnecessary honking.

• No U-turns.

• When approaching a single-lane bridge, yield to oncoming traffic. If you’re the oncoming traffic and there’s a line waiting on the other side, stop and let your neighbors cross. Local courtesy is fiveto-seven cars.

• Follow speed limits and seatbelt laws, as they are strictly enforced. Use of mobile phones are restricted to handsfree devices when driving. Please, drive with aloha!