Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD

2. Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD Aloha ‘Āina: A Framework for Managing Biocultural Resources in Hawai‘i’s Anthroprogenic Ecosystems

3. Aloha ‘Āina Management Framework • Based on the traditional ecopolitical structure of Ma‘ilikūkahi • Created in the 6th century to address land management needs and political disarray • Developed ahupua‘a system • Created management around sustainable systems • Decentralized power to the families and communities • Based on traditional ecological knowledge (western scientific methods – hypotheses -> trial and error)

4. Ahupua‘a System

5. Application of ahupua‘a system to modern day biocultural resource management in anthroprogenic ecosystems • Localized action • Questions and issues are collaboratively identified • Research is collaborative (i.e., collection of “best information available”) • Western and indigenous science foundation -> community and “peer reviewed” data validation • Communities are engaged and empowered as partners in implementation and stewardship activities • Community and leadership capacity building among Native partners

6. “Best Information Available” / Research Framework

7. Traditional Ecological Knowledge is good science (BMP): Changes in Anthroprogenic Footprints

8. Basic Elements of Management Framework • Moves focus from “consultation” to improving “best information available” • Role of community and traditional knowledge occurs throughout process • Community is also used for ground-truth information • Integrated knowledge is used to develop BMPs • Process is cyclical

9. Case Study: Recovery of Hawaiian Monk Seals

10. Lack of Community Results in Conflict • Data collective for decision making was made vacuously • “Public hearing” process used for consultation, which generated mistrust and resentment • “Outsider” data rejected by community • Recovery community built with newcomers (“outsiders”) to island community, resulting in community conflict • Increased federal actions seen as increased federalized of resources

11. Case Study: Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds

12. Traditional Hawaiian Fishpond Restoration • Permitting Problems • Fishponds continuously destroyed by development • Meetings held to identify problem with community • Honua Consulting hired to consult on project • Community input • Lead interagency team • Led research and program development

13. Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds

14. Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds

15. Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds

16. Case Study: Marine Mammal Research and Recovery

17. Marine Mammal Recovery • Originating conflict (finding the right community partner(s)) • Returning to community to obtain data and identify needs and common questions • Integrating research and community needs • Marine mammals as sentinels of ocean health • Important educational tools • Sources of cultural pride and empowerment

18. Critical Take-Aways and Ways Forward • As economies continue to struggle and biocultural resource needs continue to increase, community partnerships are necessary to successes in protection and recovery • Governments and agencies must begin to recognize resources as being “biocultural” and develop integrated processes, research plans and management plans accordingly • If you want to restore ecosystems to their pre-contact status, you need pre-contact knowledge • The private sector is the real “front line” (more native peoples are needed among developers, consultants and planners) • Native peoples need to push forward on education and leadership capacity building (and placement)

19. Mahalo! www.honuaconsulting.com watson@honuaconsulting.com