Brilliant Minds Media launches educational videos showcasing the Ahupua‘a system

Brilliant Minds Media Inc. has released a series of three educational videos to help raise awareness of the traditional Hawaiian culture of the Ahupua‘a system. The videos are part of the Maui Nui Ahupua‘a Project, a community-based, collaborative signage program created to educate residents and visitors about Hawai‘i’s ancient land division system. To view videos, click here.

Brilliant Minds Media contracted Branscombe Richmond to produce the videos which

features Maui’s own Clifford Nae‘ole (cultural advisor and Hawaiian practitioner); Hokulani Holt (Hawaii culture historian); Kui Gapero (school teacher and Hawaiian Cultural historian); and video host Leiohu Richmond.

The video project was funded through the Kahului Economic Development, Environmental, and Cultural Programs and managed through County of Maui Office of Economic Development.

“We thank these well respected Hawaiian cultural practitioners and historians for sharing their aloha and knowledge of the ahupua‘a system,” said Richmond, the show’s producer. “There are many things we can learn from the ancient ahupua‘a. It was an honor and land division system set by nature. It guided our way of life, encouraged a sense of place, and instilled the concept of sustainability. These are importance lessons that we can all learn and benefit from today.”

Educating people about traditional Hawaiian ahupua‘a system is also at the heart of the Maui Nui Ahupua‘a Project. Since 2017, the project’s coordinator/designer Vernon Kalanikau has been working with community stakeholders, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, kumu and people from their respective ahupuaʻa to review land divisions, boundaries, and to gather moʻolelo (stories, legend, history) to help design signs for the ahupuaʻa on Maui. Images of these signs are featured on these videos.

The first ahupua‘a signage project Kula Kai (Kihei area in the Moku ʻO Kula) was completed in October 2019. Signs for the Moku ʻO Wailuku (Central Maui area) are in the process of being located and installed. Kalanikau is also working with the community on the signage for Kula Uka (Upcountry area in the Moku ʻO Kula).

Clifford Nae‘ole has been a key force of energy and wisdom for the revival of the Hawaiian culture. His determination to educate and to mentor has carved him a place of respect in the hospitality industry where he has won numerous accolades and recognitions. Currently, he is the Hawaiian Cultural Advisor at The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua.

Hokulani Holt has devoted her professional and personal time to sharing and encouraging many aspects of Hawaiian culture throughout the islands. Currently, she is the director of the Ka Hikina O Ka La and Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao programs at University of Hawai‘i Maui College, where she’s been teaching courses in Hawaiian language and culture for nearly two decades.

Kui Gapero is a Hawaiian cultural historian. He taught at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, worked as a Cultural Program Specialist with the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, lectured at the University of Hawaii at Maui College, then settled into his current position as a middle school educator at Kamehameha Schools Maui.