Lessons from the loʻi: Hoʻokuaʻāina and biocultural restoration

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2022-05

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Indigenous peoples and local communities around the world are actively taking steps to increase the biocultural (biological+cultural) wealth of their beloved landscapes, which are threatened by dominant global models of resource extraction. Over the past 50 years, the people of Hawaiʻi have provided many examples of community initiatives to love, care for, and protect ʻāina (land; that which feeds). A multitude of ʻāina-based organizations have formed to promote biocultural wealth at specific ceremonial and agricultural sites. These ʻāina-based organizations are doing important work that addresses many of Hawaiʻi’s sustainability and equity issues simultaneously. However, they often struggle to receive adequate funding, volunteers, and research to scale their efforts. Published materials about these organizations are minimal. Therefore, creating more literature about these organizations could increase support for their efforts. Hoʻokuaʻāina is a nonprofit based in Kailua, Oʻahu that grows community through the cultivation of kalo and educational programs at their farm site. They provide a useful case study to illustrate the diverse contributions of ʻāina-based organizations in Hawaiʻi because of their well-established farm site and community programs. For my capstone project, I propose to conduct 15 interviews with Hoʻokuaʻāina community members, convert the interview transcripts into short essays, and edit these essays with the interviewees. Interviewees will include staff, interns, board members, funding partners, volunteers, long-time supporters, kalo customers, and kūpuna (elders) to capture the diversity of people involved with Hoʻokuaʻāina. I will edit this collection of essays with Hoʻokuaʻāina leadership, and together we will publish these essays as a book, in addition to sharing essays and excerpts through social media and Hoʻokuaʻāina’s website. This capstone project will increase awareness, understanding, and support of Hoʻokuaʻāina from inside and outside of Hawaiʻi. My methods also may be used by future researchers and organizations to empower other communities. Lastly, this project will contribute to a more comprehensive literature on the benefits of ʻāina-based organizations, particularly from the perspective of community members, which is critical for advancing bold visions of biocultural wealth globally.

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dissertation or thesis

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Sustainability, Community development, Ecology, Conservation of natural resources, Climate change mitigation

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17 pages

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Hawaii-Oahu

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Table of Contents

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Farrant, Vance Kaleohano

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