ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi │ One learns from many sources │ A web publication from the Office of the Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
UH Hilo scholars, students and cultural practitioners who attended the World Conservation Congress held in Honolulu were impressed with the embedding of Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous cultures into modern topics of science and technology.
Above, a sampling of presentations attended by UH Hilo faculty, staff, and students at the World Conservation Congress, Sept. 1-10 in Honolulu.
By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.
A group of Native Hawaiian faculty, staff, and students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo attended the recent International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Honolulu Sept. 1-10. The UH Hilo scholars, students and cultural practitioners were impressed with the comprehensive showcasing and embedding of Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous cultures into modern topics of science and technology.
Taupōuri Tangarō, director of Hawaiian culture and protocols engagement at Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Hilo, says of the 10-day event, that it was “a miracle to see the sciences, the arts, and world diversity in one place for the advancement of the wellbeing of nature.” He says he hopes that “culture elements of our experience at IUCN” can be imported into future conferences on campus.
Here following are the impressions from four IUCN attendees from UH Hilo, in their own words.
Taupōuri Tangarō
Director of Hawaiian Culture and Protocols Engagement, Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Hilo
Taupōuri Tangarō
IUCN reflected very well that the wellbeing of nature IS the foundation upon which all wellbeing is established.
Represented were the culture of indigenous peoples from around the world who’s honor it was to share how the wellbeing of their nature defines the wellbeing of their people, or its converse.
Themes of Art and Spirit were not a “side dish” item to this conference, let me just say.
Another walkaway item was the “culture” of 21st century conferencing. Sustainability and technology were a solid features to this conference. As we host conferences on our campus, we can import into our campus conferencing culture elements of our experience at IUCN.
IUCN was a great experience in the sense that we got exposure to many different issues as well as solutions from around the world. Being surrounded by people from all over the globe showed me that although we are not from the same place or speak the same language, we are all facing similar issues. We also have similar perspectives of how we are handling those issues.
Amongst the many similarities that we all have, I was also able to learn new perspectives that are not commonly found here, but can definitely be applied in Hawaiʻi nei.
This conference also allowed me to see what other kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) are contributing to the field of conservation across the Pae ʻĀina (Islands) as well as possible career opportunities for me after I graduate.
I am extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity as this was the first conference of this type of magnitude both in size and ʻike (knowledge) that I have ever attended.
ʻAnoʻai me ke aloha iā kākou pākahi! It was truly a blessing and an awesome opportunity to meet and converse with diverse indigenous peoples and western scientists from all over the world. Hearing their stories, beliefs, and practices correlating to conservation of nature made me feel even more so that we are not in this alone.
Living on an island in Hawaiʻi seems there isn’t much we can contribute to benefit a universal cause. However, being Hawaiian and understanding why we do what we do, understanding our connection to our ʻāina and kai (land and ocean), we feel proud of who we are and our progression in this field of conservation. This only adds to and will hopefully bridge the gap between traditional/indigenous knowledge, practices, and beliefs into the western practice of research and science.
During the 10-day conference, that is what spoke to me the most. Bringing awareness to the world that not only through science, but also through utilizing the knowledge, practices, and/or beliefs of our ancestors, the original peoples of our lands, can we progress even further in conservation of nature and other natural resources.
#natureforall!
Elika Jardin
Living-Learning Communities Specialist, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center
Elika Jardin
The 2016 IUCN Conservation Congress was an extremely valuable experience for all participants. The congress allowed peoples and cultures from across the globe to gather and discuss the many issues facing the conservation world today. There were presentations to cover countless global issues and the different approaches used to address these problems.
There are many areas in which Hawaiʻi is extremely advanced: place based education, spirituality and culture in conservation, sustainability, and traditional knowledge are only a few of these areas. One talk regarding Papakūmakawalu allowed participants to actively dissect traditional Hawaiian chants, showing the way that our ancestors were able to read the environment and translate it into a way that would be passed down for generations to know.
A talk on traditional knowledge documentation in Papua New Guinea showed that indigenous cultures across the globe are only now beginning to document traditional knowledge for their future generations.
The presence of technology throughout the conference was extremely impactful for my own experience. Different booths throughout the conference showcased the use of technology in educational tools, community outreach, and were able to consistently engage a great number of participants.
Several talks showcased upcoming technology to better monitor coral reefs, display climate change across the globe on a timeline, and even integrated the sounds of nature into modern day music.
It is exciting to see what the world has to offer our students, and even more exciting to know that some day our students will have the opportunity to utilize these technologies in their careers and classrooms.
A group of Native Hawaiian faculty, staff, and students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo attended the recent International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Honolulu Sept. 1-10. The UH Hilo scholars, students and cultural practitioners were impressed with the comprehensive showcasing and embedding of Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous cultures into modern topics of science and technology.
