Category Archives: Uncategorized

Metrosideros polymorpha, ʻŌhiʻa lehua, is one of the most abundant native tree species in Hawaiʻi. This species is important for Hawaiʻi’s watershed and ecology. Without the ʻōhiʻa forests, rain would erode into the ocean instead of filtering down to replenish the water table. The ʻōhiʻa tree also provides shelter and food sources for other nativeContinue reading “ʻŌhiʻa Lehua”

I found this source via the Google Fu filetype:pdf. This is PDF document, from The Nature Conservancy, is about the Hawaiian forest and plans to conserve the species that reside there.

Invasive species are a threat to the native flora and fauna of Hawaiʻi. Invasive species threaten native species by spreading diseases and utilizing important resources that native species need to survive. The goal of the Hawaiʻi Biosecurity plan is to limit the amount of invasive species that enter Hawaiʻi, control already established invasive species, detectContinue reading “Invasive Species Control”

The community of Hoʻokuaʻāina has inspired me to reconnect with my culture through ancient farming techniques. Hoʻokuaʻāina is a community of farmers that have transformed land in Maunawili into loʻi. This lāhui has touched the lives of many by helping people to develop life skills through the cultivation of kalo. They use the same techniquesContinue reading “Hoʻokuaʻāina”

“Lawa pono means “enough.”, The value of “take only what you need”…” (Vaughn 45) Mehana Blaich Vaugn discusses what this value means to the lawaiʻa of Kauaʻi and how it is a crucial principle for taking care of their fishing areas. Although I did not grow up around lawaiʻa, this was a value that myContinue reading “Lawa Pono”

Mehana tells a moʻolelo of Hanalei Bay, whose waters sustain the community. However, the natural resources of this place are dwindling away due to commercial fishing. Local fishermen watch as the commercial boats hoard the entire school of akule. Auē. By the time the unneeded akule are released, it is too late. The fish areContinue reading “Minamina”

When I hear the word authority, I think of people who have power over others – supervisors, foreman, law enforcement. These people are capable of punishment. The negative aspects of authority first come to mind. However, the way community members of Hāʻena speak of Kahoʻohanohano Pa changes my view on what authority can be. TheContinue reading “Mana”

Kailua, a once small town on the east side of Oʻahu, is where I call home. This place has changed vastly in such a short time. The gentrification comes in waves, block by block the town is transformed into a strange place. I bid a hui hou to many that can no longer afford toContinue reading “Kailua”

Kuleana: right, privilege, concern, responsibility Mehana states “Kuleana is expressed through specific actions or practices that build to create broader impacts when practiced as a community”. The Hā‘ena community members expressed their kuleana by fighting for the rights to “bring coastal management back to the local level”. The community was able to regain access toContinue reading “Kuleana”

“…each lei is distinct to the place that it is made.” Just as each lei is distinct to the place where the plants derive from, so are kānaka maoli. The Hawaiian people are rooted to the ʻāina they come from. Uncle Jeff is rooted to the ʻāina of Hāʻena. By sharing the moʻolelo of UncleContinue reading “He Lei Aloha”