RES 062 Draft 01 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUIREMENT 2017 $120,000 2018 $120,000 2019 $120,000 CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ENGAGEMENT Among the many plant and animal species native to Hawai'i, 'ohi'a holds tremendous cultural signif- icance to native Hawaiians. This species is a foundation for nearly all aspects of native Hawaiian en- gagement with the natural world. Through chant and story, native Hawaiians have maintained an enor- mous repository of information on 'ohi'a, information that provides a clearly articulated understanding of the many ecological, biogeochemical, and hydrological linkages that 'bhi'a provides to Hawai'i. In contrast to Western knowledge systems, which have developed complementary understanding of 'ohi'a's many bio-physical roles and ecosystem services, native Hawaiian knowledge systems also inte- grate understanding of 'ohi'a's many and complex social, psychological and spiritual linkages between » person and species. A critical distinction between Western and native Hawaiian perspectives is that 'ohi'a is embraced as a • .,e ` revered deity and respected family member, and this reverence and respect forms the bonds of a sacred relationship between '' 'ohi'a and the Hawaiian people. Native Hawaiian organizations _ • and institutions that serve native Hawaiians own, manage, or I otherwise interact with a very large fraction of Hawai'i's native . ohi'a forest. Approximately 17% of all land on Hawai'i island 4 ;' -�' ,` falls under the responsibility of native Hawaiian serving orga- nizations, including Bishop Estate's Kamehameha Schools, the 4 Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and the Office of Hawaiian affairs: 297,000 acres, 116,963 acres and 25,856 acres, respec- • • tively. These organizations and institutions are increasingly ap- • proaching management through the lens of sacred relationship to place. Consequently, native Hawaiians and especially practi- In the Hawaiian language there is tioner communities are deeply concerned about ROD impacts an abundance of words to de- on 'ohi'a, the forests and biophysical linkages created by 'ohi'a, scribe rain, many of which incor- and the sacred familial connections between people and 'bhi'a. porate the word lehua, reflecting Adapting traditional practices of forest gathering and ceremo- the strong cultural significance ny to the presence and management of ROD will require ROD and connection between the managers and researchers to work conjointly with native Ha- native Hawaiians and 'ohi'a. (Nat, waiian and local communities to develop culturally appropriate Yuen photo) strategies and approaches. The SRP recommends the creation of a cultural engagement team that is comprised of native Hawai- ians, local residents, and forest gathering practitioners as well as members of the ROD working group, to be charged with developing guiding protocols and cultural considerations for ROD management and strategic planning. Integrating traditional ways of knowing is important because the success and reach of ROD management activities is largely dependent on native Hawaiian and local community investment in and approval of ROD management prescriptions.