Our Framework
At PIPES, we believe that these four values and relationships are foundational to best practices for the longitudinal stewardship of place and people:
- Naʻau, the connection to oneself, is located at the small intestines of the body, which Hawaiians believe to be the seat of thought, intellect, feeling, and affections; in essence the connection to oneʻs self and life experiences. This is where we believe transformation begins.
- ʻĀina, the connection to place and space, encompasses land, waters, stars, rains and other elemental sources, and also refers to time, space, and tangible/intangible environments.
- Kaiāulu, the connection to community, references the village and represents the reciprocity between an individual and the communities they serve and are a contributing member of.
- Kaʻao, the connection to data articulation, are essentially the tales, stories, and legends, representing thousands of years of data held in kilo (observation) by Hawaiian people in Hawaiʻi.
The Heart of Our Work: Lessons and Foundations
Over 32 years of programming, there have been innumerable lessons learned and changes made as the landscape, partners, and world shifted around our students and staff. And yet, many core elements have continued throughout the decades. At its heart, the program is deeply connected to and fed by this place—this ʻāina. We use a cohort model, intentionally connecting students to peers who explore the ideas, efforts, and passions involved with leading resource management in Hawai’i and the Pacific. Interns are connected with the communities that care for island resources, including community stewards, local organizations, and state and federal agencies. This includes a growing network of program alumni who now lead from positions across the region. Lastly, we have always focused on supporting each intern’s unique journey and the stories they build with their host organizations, ensuring their personal connections to these places and communities continue into their future.