~ real estate terminology ~ Ancient & Modern Land Division
MOKU - The moku were the largest form of land division within the Mokupuni and were usually wedge-shaped running from mountain crest to shore . The island of Kauai consists of 5 Moku ( clock-wise from north to west ): Na Pali Moku , Halele ’ a Moku , Ko ’ olau Moku , Puna Moku , and Kona Moku . Look for the signs along the highway that indicate what Moku you are in :
Did You Know ? with Braddah Kimo
~ real estate terminology ~ Ancient & Modern Land Division
MOKUPUNI - The concept of private property was unknown to the ancient Hawaiians . However , they did follow a system of land division . An entire island or mokupuni was held in high trust or rule by a king or chief who further designated supervisors for smaller divisions within the mokupuni or island .
AHUPUA ’ A ( AHH HOO POOH AH AH ) - Each moku was then divided into narrower wedge-shaped sections that again ran from the uplands to the sea following the natural boundaries of the watershed . For example , the Hanalei Ahupu ’ a is one of nine ahupua ’ a located within the Halele ’ a Moku . Each ahupua ’ a contained the resources the human community needed , from fish and salt , to fertile land for farming taro and sweet potato , to koa and other trees for canoes and houses . Coastal and mountain villagers then traded these resources amongst each other . Through this sharing of resources , stewardship for the land , and working within the rhythms of their natural environment , the Hawaiians enjoyed abundance and a quality lifestyle with leisure and recreational times that encouraged a high level of artistic and cultural achievement , with many of these traditions continuing to today . This ahupua ’ a system was a completely self-sustaining system that promoted balance of the land and people and is still referenced today as a model of sustainability . Visit www . kauainuikuapapa . com for more information on the Moku and Ahupua ’ a of Kaua ’ i .
TAX MAP KEY ( TMK ) - Much later , and after the Great Mahele in 1848 , private property rights in Hawaii were established with each parcel of land being assigned an identification number known as “ TMK ” or “ Tax Map Key ”. This 5 or 6 digit parcel number separated by dashes , represents the following : Island or Division – Zone – Section – Plat – Parcel / Lot – CPR ( for land condominiums and apartments ). On Kauai , tax map keys start with the number 4 . An example would be 4-5-4-023-065-0000 . To search for property information , visit the County of Kauai website : www . KauaiPropertyTax . com