The ethno-agroecology of the Kona field system, Hawai'i Island, Hawai'i [electronic resource] : co-evolution of environment, agricultural practice, and society

Human societies and the environment interact in multiple ways, one of the most fundamental of which is through agriculture. This dissertation examines factors shaping contingent landscapes through multiple pathways of environmental and societal interactions. I investigate how environmental parameters have influenced and been influenced by human societies within one contingent landscape -- the intensive indigenous dryland (rainfed) agricultural development in the Kona region of Hawai'i Island, commonly known as the Kona field system. I utilized mixed method approaches to study the pre-European interaction of farming, environment, and society. I investigated soil fertility indicators and agricultural development in the unique environment of Kona, Hawai'i. I found that the indicators of soil fertility are shifted towards lower rainfall when compared to other geological substrates in Hawai'i; for example, base saturation reached low levels (< 30%) at ~1200 mm/yr rainfall on 1,200 year old substrate and at ~1400 mm/yr on 7,500 year old substrate in Kona, versus ~1800 mm/yr on 150,000 year old substrate on Kohala Volcano. Using historical depictions and ground surveys I estimated the extent of an agroecological zone represented by breadfruit plantations within Kona, Hawai'i Island. I estimated that the plantations produced 21,200-58,400 mt/yr of breadfruit on 3,100-5,900 ha, with a likely canopy cover of 38-73%. My models suggest that yields per area in the plantation ranged from 1.96-3.61 dry mt/ha. I examined nitrogen fixation during sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) growth and decomposition in settings representing pre-European Hawaiian agriculture. I did not detect associative or endophytic nitrogen fixation during growth of five Hawaiian sugarcane cultivars. In contrast fixation during decomposition was potentially important, and the depth of the mulch layer was important; integrated values of nitrogen fixation in different depths of senesced leaf-litter material ranged from 2.10 to 3.70 gN/kg of litter. I calculated nitrogen fixation inputs of 1.58 to 3.97 gN/kg of litter within the context of Hawaiian agriculture; fixed nitrogen equated to 45-107% of nitrogen added through litter. I examined how environmental values and sense of place correlate with the use of sustainable farming practices in agricultural areas of south Kona, Hawai'i. I used standard instruments drawn from the literature to assess sense of place and environmental values; I created a farm sustainability index based on local land-use principles and consultation with local experts. I found that sense of place and environmental values (measured by the New Ecological Paradigm [NEP] instrument) showed significant relationships with each of the five categories of sustainable farming (Environment, Community, Culture, Education, and Economics), with the exception of Economics. I examined the distribution of the survey results by farmer typology in order to discuss the results. The multifaceted influences of agricultural development from both environmental and societal strengths and constraints feed back on each other to create a complex pathway of opportunities. I argue that the potential of these opportunities is largely mediated by cultural values. How a society views the benefits and costs associated with different agricultural development pathways is a crucial starting point for any discussion examining the environmental and social interactions of agriculture.

Advisor: Ardoin Nicole M. (Nicole Michele) primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Vitousek Peter Morrison primary advisor. Thesis advisor
Fendorf Scott advisor. Thesis advisor
Wilcox Michael V. (Michael Vincent)