Pacific Islands Video Series: Navigating How We Care for Our Ocean
"Navigating How We Care for Our Ocean" is a multi-part video series that highlights the stories of individuals in communities across the Pacific Islands Region dedicated to protecting and preserving our ocean through their professions and passions. Featuring diverse perspectives, the series includes local cultural practitioners alongside NOAA representatives, all of whom share insights into the history, cultural significance, and reverence for our ocean. By focusing on sanctuary protections and cultural practices, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding in how we navigate the interconnectedness of community and ocean stewardship.
Episode 1: Honoring Place and Resources
In the inaugural episode, we delve into the cultural relevance of ocean advocacy and explore the reciprocal relationship between honoring culture and protecting marine environments. This episode seeks to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards, emphasizing the importance of engaging with and learning from the traditions and wisdom of those who have long cherished our ocean and begs the question, “How do you navigate caring for our ocean?”
Randall Kosaki
We dive into the insight of Randall Kosaki, the research coordinator at NOAA’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. With a rich academic background, including a master’s degree and doctorate in zoology from the University of Hawaii, Kosaki has dedicated his career to the behavioral ecology and biogeography of Pacific coral reef fishes. His passion for marine life extends beyond research; he enjoys photographing, catching, and cooking fish, all while cultivating a profound respect for the ocean. In our conversation, Kosaki shares his experiences diving into some of the most unexplored depths of our planet, revealing discoveries that have yet to be seen by human eyes. He emphasizes the importance of integrating native Hawaiian culture into management practices, seeing it as a key to preserving one of the last great wild places on Earth. With a blend of optimism and urgency, Kosaki discusses how understanding the historical context of Papahānaumokuākea can guide restoration efforts for the main Hawaiian Islands, urging us all to recognize the critical opportunity we have to protect our natural heritage. Join us as we delve into his compelling vision for the future of marine conservation.
Haunani Kane
We sit down with Haunani Kane, a pioneering climate scientist and Hawaiian voyager whose work beautifully intertwines ancestral wisdom with modern science. Raised at the foot of Olomana mountain in Kailua, Oʻahu, Haunani’s journey has led her to become the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a doctorate in geology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. As the research representative on the Northwestern Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council, she has been at the forefront of advocating for low-lying island resilience in the face of climate change. Drawing from her rich experiences, including her role as a Polynesian Voyaging Society crew member, Kane shares insights into her collaborations with the next generation of ocean stewards at the MEGA LAB. Her perspective on the integration of cultural and natural resource management resonates deeply, highlighting the profound connection between community and environment.
Kasie Kaleohano
We had the pleasure of speaking with Kasie Kaleohano, an educator and dedicated kumu hula. With a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of hula, the Hawaiian language, and the ocean, Kaleohano emphasizes that education is fundamentally about sharing knowledge and empowering her community. She articulates the profound relationships between Hawaiian arts and the natural environment, highlighting how the ocean is woven into the fabric of daily life in our island communities. Kaleohano describes how our natural environment influences cultural concepts and traditions. Her interview explores her insights into the vital role in preserving and celebrating Hawaiian culture, and how the ocean remains a source of inspiration and identity for her and her community.
Episode 2: Bringing the Place to People
In the second episode of “Navigating How We Care for Our Ocean”, we dive into the stories of Sanctuaries staff and cultural practitioners who are bridging the gap between place and people. Through their unique experiences, we learn how they connect with the ocean, uphold cultural traditions, and cultivate community stewardship.
Lucy Kanoelehua Lee
From the lush landscapes of eastern Hilo to the vibrant shores of Oʻahu, we meet Lucy Lee whose journey has been one of profound connection to her Hawaiian heritage. As the voyaging logistics coordinator for the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Lucy has dedicated over three years to ensuring that every voyage is safe and meaningful.
For Lucy, voyaging is more than a job; it’s a transformative experience that allows her to explore her cultural identity. Her commitment to preserving cultural practices inspires her to pass down ancestral knowledge, fostering a sense of pride and identity in future generations. “I feel indebted to my ancestors for their wisdom,” Lucy shares, highlighting her motivation to uphold these traditions.
Cindy ʻIwalani Among-Serrao
Cindy, originally from Waipiʻo, Oʻahu, but now living in Hilo, echoes Lucy's sentiments about the ocean's role in cultural identity. A dedicated hula dancer and advocate for Hawaiʻi's koholā (humpback whale) population, Cindy emphasizes the importance of connecting mauka to makai, land and sea, through her experiences with numerous ocean conservation programs.
Hōkūokahalelani “Hōkū” Pihana
Through her work with Nā Waʻa Mauō, Hōkū merges Indigenous knowledge with marine science, fostering self-love and community among participants. “Mālama ʻāina—caring for the land—also means caring for ourselves,” she explains, linking personal well-being with environmental stewardship. Hōkū’s dedication to preserving cultural practices is evident in her role at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center located in Hilo, where she educates others about the significance of Papahānaumokuākea. Her hope for the future is strong: a vibrant ocean that nurtures both cultural identity and community health.
The voices of Lucy, Cindy, and Hōkū remind us of the ocean’s vital role in Hawaiian culture and community well-being. As they navigate the challenges of modern life, they draw strength from their cultural heritage, emphasizing the need for collective care and Aloha. Their stories inspire us to reflect on our own connections to the ocean and the responsibility we share in preserving it for future generations. In the words of Lucy, “Let’s anchor ourselves in our roots while navigating the tides of change.”
Episode 3: Ocean Advocacy and Indigenous Knowledge
In the third episode of “Navigating How We Care for Our Ocean”, we explore the stories of three experts devoted to their respective crafts—traditional voyaging and hula. Each shares a profound respect for their kūpuna (ancestors) and the natural world, recognizing these connections as the foundation of their inspiration. Through their wisdom, these Indigenous Knowledge holders remind us of the importance of staying connected to the relationships that shape us—whether through the care we give to one another or to the environment.
Lucy Kanoelehua Lee
Lucy Lee believes that connecting with your cultural heritage is crucial for personal growth and self-discovery. She finds strength and motivation through traditional voyaging and navigation with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), which allows her to feel grounded and more attuned to her true self and her ancestors. That determination is vital to how she sees the growth of the next generation of young stewards and Indigenous People. Lucy encourages them to hold onto the traditions, practices, and values that make them feel rooted in their cultural identity, as these connections serve to strengthen our care for one another and the world around us, cultivating a sense of responsibility to both their communities and the environment for the future.
Junior “Rex” Lokeni
As a proud Samoan, Junior “Rex” Lokeni shares his deep connection to his cultural roots, emphasizing his time spent voyaging, building up community, and advocating for environmental stewardship. Whether as an employee at National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, where he advocated for the inclusion of Samoan perspectives in ocean policy, or with the Polynesian Voyaging Society as a cultural liaison and now captain, Rex has consistently championed the preservation of traditions for future generations. He encourages young Indigenous People to embrace opportunities with resilience, stressing the importance of integrating Indigenous Knowledge and practices into modern spaces to ensure the sustainability of both culture and the environment.
Mānaiakalani “Mānai” Kalua
Mānaiakalani Kalua, influenced by his family's deep roots in hula traditions, was first introduced to hula early in his life. Mānai delves into the significance of place names and stories in Hawaiian culture, emphasizing their preservation as a form of ocean stewardship. He explains his role in preserving these narratives and names along the Hilo, Hawaiʻi coastline, linking them to chants and cultural practices. Hula plays an important role in shaping his perspective and interactions with the environment–hula isn't merely a performance but a way to express and preserve cultural heritage.
Episode 4: Living It vs Knowing It
In the fourth episode of “Navigating How We Care for Our Ocean,” we take a further look into how the lived experiences of a policy analyst, hula practitioner, and a kumu hula shape the work and craft they are very passionate about. Although their personal experiences vary, their values and hopes for Hawaiian culture are the same, to be authentic and true to their community. Together, their stories reflect the vital role of cultural practices and community collaboration in caring for Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources.
Hoku Kaʻaekuahiwi Pousima
Hoku Kaʻaekuahiwi Pousima, who was raised on Oʻahu’s Waiʻanae Coast, values the ocean's role in her upbringing as a source of healing and connection to place and ʻohana (family). Her family’s canoe club at Pōkaʻī Bay preserved cultural traditions and supported Waiʻanae youth—a legacy she continues through paddling with Puna Canoe Club in Hilo, where she now resides. As the Pacific Islands regional policy analyst for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Hoku combines her expertise in Native Hawaiian and environmental law, her life experiences as a Waiʻanae kānaka and her passion for community advocacy. She emphasizes collaboration, weaving Native Hawaiian values into resource management and empowering her community to steward and protect their environment.
Chianti “Kiki” Kamailekaluhea Motta
Chianti “Kiki” Kamailekaluhea Motta found her calling in hula at just four years old. Proudly representing her hometown of Keaukaha in Hilo, Kiki views hula as more than a dance—it's a way to connect with her ancestors and her community. Her performances at the 2024 Merrie Monarch Festival highlight her pilina (relationship) with Keaukaha’s land and ocean. Each hula she performed at Merrie Monarch Festival has a story that celebrates her hometown’s cultural significance and history. As an avid surfer, she incorporates her love for the ocean into her movements, creating a powerful connection between her personal identity and her cultural roots. Kiki’s gratitude extends to her kumu, ʻohana (family), and community, who have nurtured her journey. She sees hula as a tool for preserving Hawaiian traditions and sharing them with the world, ensuring her heritage remains alive for future generations.
Mānaiakalani “Mānai” Kalua
Mānai reiterates the inseparable bond between hula and Hawaiian culture. For Mānai, hula is more than perfect choreography and technical skill, it’s about embodying the story behind the movements. Hula has always been tied to text and context with every motion reflecting and reimagining the words, allowing the dancer's body to bring the story to life. He emphasizes that true hula transcends technique when dancers truly connect deeply with the meaning of the mele (chant) through their performance. This emotional and relational connection creates a profound experience for both the dancer and the observer.
New Episodes on the Horizon
In Episode 5, “Community and Partnerships”, we will learn about the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts, highlighting their unique knowledge and connection to the environment. Mahealani Bambico will discuss her work as a Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) coordinator for NOAA and the ways this program supports locally relevant and experiential learning opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s students, teachers, and communities. Kanoe Morishige will explore the role of cultural engagement in projects like Mai Ka Pō Mai, emphasizing the significance of community trust and Indigenous involvement in preserving Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Pua Kamaka will provide a broader perspective on strong partnerships, showcasing collaborations between NOAA and other organizations like the Polynesian Voyaging Society that combine ocean conservation with cultural preservation.