What is an ili in the context of Hawaiian land?

What is an ili in the context of Hawaiian land?

• A. A large tract of public land
• B. Smaller pieces of land divided from a larger unit
• C. A type of agricultural land
• D. A specialized land-use designation

Answer: (B)

In the context of Hawaiian land, an ili refers to smaller pieces of land that are divided from a larger unit. This term is rooted in traditional Hawaiian land management and is part of the ahupuaʻa system, which structured land into wedges extending from the mountains to the sea. An ili typically represents a section that is part of a larger land division, allowing for more localized management and use of resources. This hierarchical land system reflects the community's understanding of managing natural resources responsibly and is integral to Hawaiian cultural and social organization. The other options do not capture the specific meaning of ili. A large tract of public land would refer more broadly to government-owned land and does not pertain specifically to the traditional division of land into smaller segments. A type of agricultural land might describe a function of some ili, but it does not define what ili means. Lastly, a specialized land-use designation implies a legal classification, which this term does not encompass within its traditional context.

In the context of Hawaiian land, an ili refers to smaller pieces of land that are divided from a larger unit. This term is rooted in traditional Hawaiian land management and is part of the ahupuaʻa system, which structured land into wedges extending from the mountains to the sea. An ili typically represents a section that is part of a larger land division, allowing for more localized management and use of resources. This hierarchical land system reflects the community's understanding of managing natural resources responsibly and is integral to Hawaiian cultural and social organization.

The other options do not capture the specific meaning of ili. A large tract of public land would refer more broadly to government-owned land and does not pertain specifically to the traditional division of land into smaller segments. A type of agricultural land might describe a function of some ili, but it does not define what ili means. Lastly, a specialized land-use designation implies a legal classification, which this term does not encompass within its traditional context.