Department of Land and Natural Resources

JOSH GREEN, MD GOVERNOR

DAWN CHANG CHAIRMAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct 11, 2024

NEW VIDEOS EXPLORE CULTURAL PRACTICES WITH NATURAL RESOURCES

(HONOLULU) – Our natural resources in Hawaii are inextricably linked to the communities that rely on and care for those resources. The “ʻIke Kaiāulu” or “Community Knowledge” video series, produced by educational teams from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), seeks to unlock an understanding of this rich history of care for ‘āina and kai.

The series premiered in 2023 with four videos sharing community knowledge about limu, wood carving, lāʻau lapaʻau (use of medicinal plants), and caring for special places such as Kaʻena Point.

Four new videos were recently added to the series, featuring experts with knowledge from various practices to share:

• Kumu Hulu Mele Kahalepuna Chun explores her family’s history of Hawaiian featherwork and its connection to the health of Hawaii’s forest birds
• Paepae o Heʻeia Executive Director Hiʻilei Kawelo shares her experiences with loko iʻa (fish ponds) and their connection to the health of mauka and makai ecosystems
• Pelu fisherman Chuck Kealoha Leslie shares his knowledge of net making and his hopes for the future of fishing in Hawaii
• Dr. Kawika Winter, director of the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve, discusses biocultural restoration and the importance of focusing indigenous thinking in ecosystem management.

While sharing knowledge from different areas, respondents expressed common themes. Each of the four experts spoke about the knowledge they received from parents, grandparents or other kūpuna and the importance of passing that knowledge on to younger generations.

Mele Kahalepuna Chun said that passing on the knowledge imparted by her tūtū and mother is not a job but a kuleana. “What I want to tell our keiki is to make sure it lives. Simply Holomua: Keep it up.”

Another common theme was the persistence of cultural practices in communities. “The relationships we have within the ahupuaʻa make the magic possible,” said Hiʻilei Kawelo. On the subject of featherwork, Kahalepuna Chun added that her tūtū was often asked, “‘Isn’t this a dying art?'” She would say no, not as long as I can help it.”

Respondents also expressed hopes for the future of their respective fields. Chuck Kealoha Leslie shared that he wanted the Keiki to know how we did things the old way and then they could make it their own. He added: “If you want to fish, make fishing your life and do it with joy.”

Dr. Kawika Winter expressed his views on cultural practice as part of management and life in Hawaii, saying: “We have been here for a long time, we will be here for a long time.” On the importance of sharing experiences and knowledge, he added: “So many of the Elders who came before me have said that Hawaii has the answers that will help heal the world.”

All videos are available on the DLNR website.

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RESOURCES

(All images/videos courtesy: DLNR)

ʻIke Kaiāulu Videos:

Photos from community experts on the DOFAW website:

Media contact:

Ryan Aguilar

Communications specialist

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

[email protected]