Water has long been the lifeblood of Hawaii, shaping its ecosystems, culture, and survival. The Native Hawaiian ahupua‘a system embodied a deep understanding of sustainability, seamlessly integrating land and water management from mountain to sea. Streams and irrigation nourished taro fields, fishponds, and communities, ensuring a balanced, regenerative cycle.

Today, urbanization, tourism, and climate change threaten Hawaii’s water systems, and nowhere is this more evident than the Ala Wai Canal. Once a vital waterway, it is now one of the state’s most polluted, tainted by runoff, sewage, and urban waste—far removed from Waikiki’s meaning, “spouting water.” This project envisions a…