By that time, each Hawaiian island was already divided into districts. The districts were subdivided into ahupua`a. Each ahupua`a was a self-supporting, narrow strip of land running from the mountain summits down through the fertile land at high and middle elevations, and continuing down to the outer edge of the ocean's reefs. An ali`i nui, or high chief, ruled the island. Under him were district and ahupua`a leaders. Other positions in this hierarchy included luna, or bosses, in charge of irrigation, land boundaries, and land use. Each ahupua`a had a full staff of experts, including a master fisherman and a master farmer.

At the base of each ahupua`a was an oceanside village with little thatch houses shaded by kou and coconut trees. In these ocean villages people fished extensively and grew basic staples like sweet potatoes and wauke, a small tree in the mulberry family whose bark is beaten into a cloth called tapa. Above the coastal strip a dry rocky grassland stretched a mile upslope. In the moist area above this breadfruit plantations covered great distances. Rock walls were constructed as field dividers and planted with ti and sugar cane. Above the breadfruit was the prime growing area for taro and sweet potatoes, the main crops that sustained the people. Taro was traditionally planted, harvested, and cooked by men. The big starchy roots were steamed in the imu for hours, and then beat with a large stone pounder into the staple paste called poi. Continuing upland, bananas and yams were the last of the cultivated plants at the edge of the forest.

In the forests, trees provided essential woods for the people. Koa grew in great forests above the 3,000 foot elevation and were hewn for canoe hulls. Another giant tree `Ohi`a, has a dark, heavy wood that was used for house posts, spears, poi pounding boards, and temple images among other items.

The main economic function of the ahupua`a was to simplify the collection of the annual tribute. Each year a four-month long harvest festival known as Makahiki took place. A Kahuna, or priest, walked along a trail around the island with his retinue. When they reached the altar of Lono, the God of fertility, the Kahuna evaluated the offerings. Food, woven mats, nets, tapa, and bowls all made by the local people were arranged to distribute to the chiefs and leaders of the ahupua`a. When the Kahuna approved of the offering, the people were free to relax, visit, play games, and dance.