Each island is divided into sections known as moku (large districts) that are further broken down into smaller divisions known as ahupua‘a. Each ahupua‘a has enough resources to be self-sustaining for all inhabitants within its boundaries. These ahupua‘a extend from mauka to makai (mountain to ocean) and it was the community's kuleana to mālama ʻāina (responsibility to care for the land) so everyone could benefit from its resources. There are many ahupua‘a on the island of Hawai‘i. The residents of this rugged lava-covered shoreline rely heavily on the brackish freshwater springs to provide a sufficient water supply and on the ocean for their resources. The most important features of the shoreline are the fishponds and biodiverse reefs that provided sufficient food for the entire ahupua‘a. Hawaiians see a correlation between the reef and the community of the ahupua‘a. They know that a healthy reef had a system of hierarchy just as the ahupua‘a and they see that the sharks were at the top of the chain. One of the most well-known proverbs according to the Olelo No’eau by Mary Kawena Pukui states, “He manō holo ‘āina ke ali’i.” (The Chief is a shark that travels on land.)

They know that sharks keep a balance in the marine ecosystem and are taught from a young age to enter the water with respect for this beautiful apex predator. This respect has been gradually lost over the years as this beautiful self-sustaining island was engulfed by western civilization and the teachings of native Hawaiians were washed away like a receding tide. While people from all over the world now visit the island the sharks that call it home are defying all odds and still flourish in spite of the lack of understanding and respect given to them and their home. Although the sharks may still inhabit the waters today, they might not tomorrow if there isn’t a shift in the way we treat their home.