Marine Resource Management in the Hawaiian Archipelago: The Traditional Hawaiian System in Relation to the Western Approach

A comparison of traditional Hawaiian and Western marine resource management systems in the Hawaiian Archipelago reveals significant differences in practices, knowledge bases, and enforcement. The traditional 'ahupua'a' system, rooted in sustainability and adaptive management, integrated watershed to nearshore ecosystems with sophisticated social controls. In contrast, the Western approach, dominant over the past two centuries, diverges in focus, legal authority, and stewardship. However, recent efforts, such as the management plan for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument—a vast protected area—are blending traditional Native Hawaiian values with modern conservation practices, illustrating a shift toward integrating indigenous knowledge into contemporary resource protection strategies.

Jokiel, P. L., Rodgers, K. S., Walsh, W. J., Polhemus, D. A., & Wilhelm, T. A. (2011). Marine Resource Management in the Hawaiian Archipelago: The Traditional Hawaiian System in Relation to the Western Approach. Journal of Marine Biology, 2011, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/151682