Preparing for the Honolulu 2024 Annual Meeting

Between July and March, the AAG will be hosting a virtual learning series featuring Hawaiian speakers and perspectives with a new approach that connects the conference more strongly to the place where it is held.

Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai: Aloha Given, Aloha Received

This session illuminated Hawaiian ecological insights and perspectives on how to live in harmony with the environment; exploring ways that those views may align or differ from the perspectives of others; and discussing how to foster reciprocity among our Kānaka hosts and our members, discipline, and the AAG.

Key takeaways for self-reflection:

• How can the field trips (or land engagements) and events outside of the main conference engage with local communities in a generative and thoughtful way, avoiding being burdensome to community groups?
• How can we make the presence of indigenous voices impactful and felt throughout the conference?
• Are there ‘reminding,’ engaging rituals that conference goers could participate in individually or in small or large groups on site to help regularly take us into a different kind of place mentally, emotionally, even spiritually, for that brief time, that would reinforce the values and experiences sought by everyone involved and, like the circles of people holding hands, will remain with us after the conference?
• Are there opportunities to engage children and young people in the conference?

Kumulipo: Hawaiian Explication of Creation

Lean in! Tune in! This webinar explored the story of the creation of Pele’s home in Hawai’i, or the Kumulipo: the Hawaiian understanding of the world as interconnected and intimate across all forms of being and nature. Leahi Hall and Kekuhi Kealiikanakaole of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa present this to you all in narrative and poetic chant form. It is an honored gift to receive one of Hawaiʻiʻs Koʻihonua as welcome into this island consciousness.

Key takeaways for self-reflection:

• Although the language may be different and the presentation in poetry & story, rather than data or maps, the Kumulipo reflects recorded observations and conclusions about the same planetary elements that are studied by geographers everywhere. How does this align or differ with your understanding or research? What might you want to do or hear at the conference to better understand your field from the perspective of the host culture?
• “Man is not the center of all things.” Hmm, is that a universal concept?
• “Human kind is not the center of all relationships.” Hmm, is that a universal concept?
• We encourage you to express Mele Komo /Mele Moʻokū upon your arrival to Maui for the conference. Both chants are a request for permission as you enter into the energy of the island and an introduction of the places and features you will be among and that sustain your life.
• For pronounciation and practice, view the webinar recording for guidance from Kekuhi and Leahi.

Hawai‘i Habitation: Consequences of Human Values

For millenia, land in Hawai‘i was organized into wao (realms) that align with spiritual principles and support ecosystem services, as well as water, food, and reproduction cycles. Human habitation and activities were subordinated to foster environmental sustainability.
Join Konia Freitas, past director of the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i – Mānoa; and Mark Kawika McKeague, AICP, principal & director of Cultural Planning G70, for a discussion of traditions of Polynesian voyaging, discovery and settlement which were disrupted and transformed by radically different norms, practices and territorial designs of non-Polynesian settlers beginning in the 18th century..

Key takeaways for self-reflection:

• How has the land where the conference is located changed throughout time and history? How can I acknowledge and respect the land during my visit?
• How have foundational Hawaiian principles and practices been preserved and passed down today, whether that is through art, music, architecture etc.?
• How should visitors approach language politics and use of the Hawaiian language when visiting?

ʻĀina — In the mother tongue, ‘āina refers to that which feeds, that being the land and its produce, as well as the sea and the all the things from it we can collect and harvest to sustain our selves with.

Haole — Foreigner, not from Hawai‘i

Ho‘okipa — To entertain or treat hospitably

Iwi — human remains (bones)

Kinolau — lau: many bodies of manifestations; kino: body

Koʻi-honua — A creation chant, the carving of earth at many scales

Kuleana — responsibility

Kūpuna — Grandparent or ancestor

Mālama — Give back

Mana — Spiritual energy of power or strength

Mo‘opuna — grandchildren

Kanaka — Native Hawaiian

Kuleana — Responsibility; especially personal and distinct contribution to a community

‘Okina — An actual consonant in ʻŌlelo Hawai, the Hawaiian language, that creates a glottal stop to recognize that a consonant that was once present in a word has been dropped over the years and will always separate two vowels and never two consonants.

• ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures Declaration: “drafted by a group of Native Hawaiian community members who came together organically after separate discussions brought forth common sentiments regarding the need to have Native Hawaiian voices, values, and experiences influence the economic recovery for our ʻāina aloha.”
  — Consider adding your name to the supporters of the ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures initiative via their Google form.
• ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures Huliau Action Agenda: high-level framework of community-defined actionable goals intended to guide the development and prioritization of more specific proposals
• ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures Assessment Tool for Policies, Projects, and Programs: This tool advances the values set forth in the ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures Declaration. This assessment also embodies key ideas in the Huliau Action Agenda, which incorporated comments from over 200 participants who helped to develop it.
• Hawaii Conservation Alliance Conference: This conference envisions thriving, abundant lands and seas with native Hawaiian ecosystems actively cared for by generations of stewards, steered by excellent science, Hawaiian values, and practice. The alliance provides unified leadership, and collaborative action to conserve and restore native ecosystems and the unique biodiversity of the Hawaiian Islands. Past selective recordings of sessions are available to view at leisure

• Change We Must: My Spiritual Journey by Nana Veary
  • Shared during Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai: Aloha Given, Aloha Received webinar
  • Authored by Nana Veary, it describes how “her family, surroundings and the ways of an innately spiritual people shaped a lifetime search for the truth. At the core, binding the threads of the story, is the practice of silence and a strong belief in its power.”
• Dominis Holt, John. Waimea Summer
• Emerson, Nathaniel B., Unwritten Literature of Hawaiʻi: The Sacred Songs of the Hula
• Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, Noelani, Ikaika Hussey & Erin Kahunawaika′ala Wright. A Nation Rising: Hawaiian Movements for Life, Land, and Sovereignty
• Hānai, Hui. Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani
• Li, Wei. From Urban Enclave to Ethnic Suburb: New Asian Communities in Pacific Rim Countries
• Trask, Haunani-Kay and Ed Greevy. Kūʻē: Thirty Years of Land Struggle in Hawaiʻi
• Queen Regnant, Liliuokalani of Hawaii. Kumulipo  – Wā ʻAkahi; An Hawaiian Creation Myth

• Aikau, Hōkūlani K. Mana Wahine and Mothering at the Loʻi: A Two-spirit/Queer Analysis [paywall]
• Gould, Rachelle K., Cheryl E. Morse, Jill Brooks & Alison Adams. “So Much For Access:” Difference, Benefits, And Barriers At Hawaii’s Shorelines [paywall]
• Herman, R.D.K. The Aloha State: Place Names and the Anti-conquest of Hawai‘i
• Kahanamoku, Sara, Rosie’Anolani Alegado, Aurora Kagawa-Viviani, Katie Leimomi Kamelamela, Brittany Kamai, Lucianne M Walkowicz, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Mithi Alexa de los Reyes, & Hilding Neilson. A Native Hawaiian-led summary of the current impact of constructing the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea
• Keānuenueokalani Williams, Liza and Vernadette Vicuña Gonzalez. Indigeneity, sovereignty, sustainability and cultural tourism: hosts and hostages at ʻIolani Palace, Hawai’i [paywall]
• Kolivras, Korine N. Mosquito Habitat and Dengue Risk Potential in Hawaii: A Conceptual Framework and GIS Application
• Marshall, Kehaulani, Chloe Koseff, Amber L. Roberts, Ala Lindsey, Aurora K. Kagawa-Viviani, Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, & Peter M. Vitousek. Restoring people and productivity to Puanui: challenges and opportunities in the restoration of an intensive rain-fed Hawaiian field system [free access]
• Marusek, Sarah. The aloha paradox: law, language, and culture in Hawai‘i [paywall]
• Miyares, Ines M. Expressing “Local Culture” In Hawai’I* [paywall]
• Nunn, Patrick D. Fished Up or Thrown Down: The Geography of Pacific Island Origin Myths
• Peterson, Brian A., Rachel D. Shively, Sarah K. Jackson, Julianna Rogowski, J. Adam Beeco & Damon Joyce. Using ADS–B Data to Understand Overflight Altitude Characteristics at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
• Pau, Stephanie, Glen M. MacDonald &Thomas W. Gillespie. A Dynamic History of Climate Change and Human Impact on the Environment from Keālia Pond, Maui, Hawaiian Islands
• Woodcock, Deborah. To Restore the Watersheds: Early Twentieth-Century Tree Planting in Hawai‘i

• Waikiki the Film by Christopher Kahunahana

• Explore Maui hosted by Sam Peralta
• Legends From The Pacific hosted by Kamuela Kaneshiro
  
• Morning Manaʻo Podcast hosted by Luana Kawaʻa
• The Blue Hawaii Podcast hosted by Josh Michaels and Ryan Little
• Transmissions from Hawaii hosted by Wasabi Magazine
• HaveAlohaWillTravel  hosted by Catherine Toth Fox and Kevin Alle with Hawai’i Magazine

We hope that you will join us in offering support to the residents and their families on Maui, nearby islands, and the mainland after the devastating wildfires consumed the historic town of Lahaina, the former Royal Capital of Hawai‘i. We have provided a list of local rescue and recovery efforts and foundations:

• The Maui Strong Fund is currently being used to help aid communities affected by the Maui Wildfires. You can donate online, or you can send a check to Hawai‘i Community Foundation, 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96813. Make checks payable “Hawai‘i Community Foundation”.
• Maui Food Bank is accepting both physical drop-off donations at various locations across Maui as well as online monetary donations on its website.
• The Salvation Army is providing food and resources to those in need, and it is accepting Maui donations on its Hawaiʻi site.
• Maui Mutual Aid Fund is a local effort run by volunteers looking to get funds and support to vulnerable residents, such as kūpuna (elderly), those with physical disabilities, renters and individuals without insurance.
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is matching up to $1 million in donations for Maui fire victims as of Thursday night. Learn more
• The Maui Humane Society expects an influx of animals who need help as wildfires have displaced thousands. The group is currently accepting online donations.
• Baby 2 Baby, a non-profit organization, is getting ready to send supplies for babies and children who have been affected by the Maui fires. Visit their website for more information or to donate.