He keiki aloha nā mea kanu.

Beloved children are the plants.

It is said of farmers that their plants are like beloved children, receiving much attention and care.

— ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #684

Mahiʻai, or farmers, held the important kuleana (responsibility) of cultivating the soil and growing food for their communities. These skilled farmers worked in harmony with nature, wisely using resources like rich soil, stones, fresh water, and native plants.

The mahi’ai developed deep knowledge of planting and cultivation, understanding the complex relationships between seasons, soil types, water flow, and weather patterns. They grew hundreds of different varieties of crops like kalo (taro), ‘uala (sweet potato), mai’a (banana), and kō (sugarcane), knowing exactly which elevation, moisture level, soil type, sun exposure and terrain was best for each variety. The mahi’ai’s primary tool was the ‘ō’ō, a digging stick crafted from hardwoods like kauila, uhiuhi, or alahē’e. Mahi’ai created sophisticated agricultural systems like lo’i kalo (wetland taro patches) and māla (dryland gardens), and engineered complex irrigation systems called ‘auwai to channel water from streams to their crops.

This wasn’t just farming – it was a sacred relationship with the land. As their plants sent roots into the earth, the mahi’ai themselves became “rooted” to their ‘āina, developing a profound spiritual and cultural connection that went far beyond simply growing food.