The Ko'olau-poko District encompasses all watersheds of windward O'ahu from Makapu'u Point to Kualoa (Ka'oi'o Point). Collectively, these watersheds may be said to comprise a single regional ecosystem; sharing a common climate, physiography, cultural and land use history and future. For nearly the entire length of this regional ecosystem, the deeply eroded face of the Ko'olau is cut into a steep cliff, known as the Pali, descending from its crest line. Ample rainfall, combined with prevailing northeast Tradewinds, have eroded much of the windward slope of the Ko'olau range into a belt of rolling hills, mature stream valleys, and soils deposited by flowing water between the base of the Pali and the shoreline. Today, those ahupua'a connected with the southern and central sectors of Kane'ohe Bay, including Mokapu Peninsula, are now largely urbanized, consisting of residential, commercial, and light industrial uses.

Early Hawaiians of the Ko'olau-poko District lived in an agrarian society. Their staple diet was the kalo or taro plant from which poi and a variety of other foods were prepared. Kalo was grown in a system of pond terraces (lo'i kalo) that collected stream runoff from the mountains to use as irrigation water. These watershed agricultural zones were the richest in Hawai'i. Lands enriched with nutrients carried by flowing water allowed Hawaiian agriculturists to plant crops year-round and maximize crop production. Water flowed through a series of field systems, natural and man-made channels, and was subsequently returned to natural stream paths, with significant benefit to the sustainability of estuarine and nearshore fisheries. Fishponds built at the mouths of streams in Kane'ohe Bay caught rich nutrients and caused an increase in the growth of limu (seaweed or algae). This rich pond environment attracted fishes such as the 'ama'ama (mullet), awa (milkfish), and aholehole. Thus, because of careful management of watershed resources, native Hawaiians also enhanced their fishery resources.

In addition to irrigated pond fields, early Hawaiians also cultivated a variety of dryland crops. Among them were native sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, wauke (i.e. paper mulberry tree), mountain apples, lauhala (i.e. pandanus), and sweet potatoes. Polynesians introduced dogs, chickens, and pigs, which were raised near settlements. The main source of protein was shellfish from nearshore reef flats and other fresh fish from the sea. Fish were caught with traps or by hook and line, or collected from fishponds.

In time, rice fields replaced most of the taro pond fields. Cultivation of other introduced crops, including non-native sugarcane, pineapples, coffee, papaya, and breadfruit, began in the mid to late 1800s. Pastures were created in drier regions to the north of the Ko'olau-poko District for raising cattle, sheep, horses, and goats. In the early 20th century, pearl oysters, abalone, clams, and groupers were unsuccessfully introduced into Kāne'ohe Bay for commercial purposes. As ranching operations became formalized, grasslands replaced much of the native vegetation and grazing facilitated erosion and sediment loading to the streams. Further erosion resulted from the development of residential subdivisions beginning in the 1940s, and large sections of reef habitat were lost by dredging portions of Kane'ohe Bay during 1939-1945 to allow for the passage of large Naval vessels. All of these introductions and activities had a significant impact on the watershed and native Hawaiian land and fishery management practices.

Following the end of World War II, customs, beliefs, and practices associated with native methods of fishing and farming continued to decline. This decline was partially a result of aging of the native Hawaiian community and changing residency and economic patterns. The protocols associated with native harvesting and collection practices gave way to growing commercial and recreational fishing and agriculture. Today, native subsistence practices are making a comeback, partially the result of a cultural renaissance.

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