“Traditional Hawaiian ecological knowledge includes complex understandings of evolutionary biology, watershed health, agriculture aquaculture and resource management that allowed over one million people to sustainably reside in Hawai‘i," says Trisha Kehaulani Watson of IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) and World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
“We need to really change the relationship between Indigenous peoples and governments to advance joint actions for conservation. Much more openness and political will from governments is needed,” says Myrna Cunningham, former Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
“Many Hawaiian communities have begun to draw from their cultural heritage for knowledge and wisdom that can help restore marine ecosystems so that they can, once again, provide for these communities,” say Kevin Chang, Executive Director of KUA (Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo) and Charles Young, member of KUPA (Kamaʻāina United to Protect the ʻĀina).
