Kuahiwi Nui Haleakalā, He Inoa no ke Akua

Between 2021 and 2022 the Center for Oral History (COH) worked with Haleakalā National Park staff through funding from a Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Research Studies Unit project. Through three phases of work, the oral history team interviewed 18 present and past park staff and community members with close ties to Haleakalā National Park. The kumu (purpose) of the project was to explore the history of early park natural resource management, as well as the history of park lands in Kaupō and Kīpahulu through the voices of people who have worked in and experienced the park over many years. These oral histories also highlight Native Hawaiian cultural stories, insights, and concepts that have been shared by five of these narrators and gathered through their close relationships with the lands that now comprise Haleakalā National Park.

The interviews for this project were conducted by Alana Kanahele, graduate research assistant at the COH. Interviews were conducted online via Zoom from February to April, 2021, November 2021, and April 2022. In-person interviews were conducted on Maui in May, June, and November 2021, and September and October 2022. Rachel Hodara Nelson from Haleakalā National Park helped conduct the interview with Legario "Hanky" Eharis and Carl "Soot" Bredhoff. Interview sessions lasted between one to three hours. National Park Service Kupu Intern Emily Creek transcribed the interviews of Legario "Hanky" Eharis and Walter Pu. The transcripts were then sent to narrators for their review, edits and approval. NPS staff also reviewed the transcripts and redacted any sensitive information related to park operations. The transcripts are edited slightly for clarity and historical accuracy by the narrators. Micah Mizukami filmed the interviews and Katie Matthew edited all of the videos to ensure they were accessible.

A StoryMap for the project was also produced here.