KaALL THINGSPili RELATED TO THE SEA ∙ VOL 1, NO 1 ∙ HO‘OILOKai 2018

Embracing knowledge from generations past and present

A publication of Hawai‘i Sea Grant at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 Volume 1 • Number 1

Ka Pili Kai (ISSN 1550-641X) is published WELCOME TO OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE OF THE NEW KA PILI KAI! quarterly by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i For our dedicated readers who have been receiving and Sea Grant), School of Ocean and Earth reading our quarterly magazine for many years, mahalo for embarking Science and Technology (SOEST). Hawai‘i on this new adventure with us and a big ʻohana welcome to all our new Sea Grant is a unique partnership of readers. ʻOhana, meaning family, aptly describes the relationships we university, government, and industry, focusing on marine have built with our communities and partners, who are at the heart of why research, education, and advisory/extension services. we have been working so passionately since we opened our doors in 1968. University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program The title of the magazine, Ka Pili Kai, or “all things related to the 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 sea,” has deep meaning for the work we do, so much so that we were Honolulu, HI 96822 determined to maintain the name even while being inspired by the start of our 50th anniversary celebrations to rethink how we present stories Director and information. During our early years between 1968, when we opened Darren T. Lerner, PhD Contents our doors, and 1972, when we achieved college program status, the foundation on which we stand today was built. Communications Leader Cindy Knapman We are celebrating these milestone years with special tributes during THE RETURN OF KŪ‘ULA Assistant Communications Leader 2018 to 2022, and our new Ka Pili Kai marks the first of these. Stay tuned to 1 RESTORATION OF HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS Heather Dudock learn about what we have planned for the upcoming years! BY JOSH MCDANIEL The Hawaiian calendar has two main seasons lasting approximately VOYAGES OF REDISCOVERY AND DISCOVERY Ka Pili Kai six months each. Recognizing the importance of the Hawaiian calendar 9 by RANDOLPH FILLMORE Editorial Team and seasonal change, moving forward you will notice on the cover of Cindy Knapman the magazine, the word Ho‘oilo, for the wetter, colder half of the year in Rachel Lentz Hawai‘i, or Kau, which marks the start of the warmer summer months. In TOE TIMATA ‘UPEGA O LE GĀTAIFALE Maya Walton each issue you will find our calendar of events appearing on the last two 17 RE-FORGING OLD TIES WITH THE SEA pages and more details on the intricacies of the environment and the lunar by MEGHAN MINER MURRAY Layout and Design Heather Dudock phases which have guided Hawaiians for thousands of years. WRITING THE BOOK ON REEF FISH Contributing Writers This inaugural issue is of particular importance in its celebration of 25 by ILIMA LOOMIS Participants of the 2016 Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa gathering visit Kaloko fishpond, James Brancho people and place across the Pacific region, our deep connection to all Hawaiʻi Island. Kaloko has been described as having the widest, most massive Jackie Dudock things related to the sea, and the imperative to learn from and embrace fishpond wall in Hawaiʻi. Photo: Heather Dudock Randolph Fillmore knowledge from generations past and present. WOVEN APPROACHES Ilima Loomis 27 UNDERSTANDING ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS Josh McDaniel Me ke aloha pumehana, OF COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT IN HĀʻENA BOOK REVIEW: Meghan Miner Murray (With warm regards) AFTER THE FLOODS 31 by MEHANA BLAICH VAUGHAN KAIĀULU GATHERING TIDES Outreach Publication Photographer by JACKIE DUDOCK Andre P. Seale Postage paid at Honolulu, HI PUAKEA NOGELMEIER ON THE COVER: Coastline of Vaiava 33 THE CONSUMMATE KUMU Postmaster: Send address changes to: Natural National Monument in Vatia Bay, by JAMES BRANCHO Ka Pili Kai, 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Photo: Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 956-7410; fax: (808) 956-3014 Andre P. Seale/ University of Hawaiʻi. uhsgcomm@hawaii.edu OLD NEWSPAPERS, NEW LESSONS 35 by JAMES BRANCHO hawaiiseagrant.org ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Andre P. Seale is an Assistant Researcher The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant Program was established in 1968 and designated a Sea Grant College at the Department of Human Nutrition HULI ‘IA in 1972, following the National Sea Grant College and Food and Animal Sciences, CTAHR, UH. 37 OBSERVING THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE Program Act of 1966. He is also an award-winning wildlife and by PELIKA ANDRADE underwater photographer with over 25 Ka Pili Kai is funded by a grant from the National years of experience. More of his images Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, project C/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS CC-1, sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant may be seen at www.artesub.com. 39 College Program/SOEST, under Institutional Grant No. NA18OAR4170076 from the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Canoes and boats greet the Hōkūleʻa as she sails towards Magic Department of Commerce. The views expressed herein Subscribe to Ka Pili Kai Island, Oʻahu for Mālama Honua Homecoming, June 17, 2017. are those of the authors only. Visit: seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/resources/ka-pili-kai Photo: Cindy Knapman UNIHI-SEAGRANT-NP-17-05 THE RETURN OF

RESTORATION OF HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS

by JOSH MCDANIEL

According to Hawaiian moʻolelo (oral traditions), Integrated Science, Knowledge, and Culture, believes Kūʻula built the first Hawaiian fishpond, or loko iʻa, Kūʻula may have been a god but also a real person on the island of Maui. Kūʻula was a fisherman of rare who had deep knowledge of fish behavior and coastal skill who is described as having supernatural powers ecosystems based on observation and experience. for directing and controlling fish. He was said to be able to summon fish at will, and is venerated as the “Kūʻula understood that by building a fishpond Hawaiian god of fishing. where freshwater streams met the ocean, he could capture brackish water and stimulate beneficial Rosie Alegado, an assistant professor in eutrophication,” Alegado said. “He constructed the the University of Hawai‘i School of Ocean and fishpond to attract and capture juvenile fish, such as Earth Science and Technology’s Department of ʻamaʻama [mullet] and awa [milkfish], which thrive in Oceanography and director of the University of estuaries where they feed on plankton.” Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program Center for

Aerial image of Haleolono loko i‘a (fishpond) located within the ‘ili (section of land within an ahupua‘a), Honohononui, Hawaiʻi Island. Photo: Likeke Teanio, courtesy of Kalāho‘ohie Mossman. Located in Heʻeia Uli on the island of Oʻahu, Heʻeia Fishpond is a kuapā (walled) style fishpond enclosing 88 acres of brackish water. It includes six mākāhā (sluice gates) and its kuapā is possibly the longest in the island chain measuring about 1.3 miles long and forms a complete circle around the pond. Photo courtesy of Paepae o Heʻeia.

Fishponds were a key part of the Hawaiian Loko kuapā have distinctive sluice gates, or divisions that are roughly equivalent to a watershed). fishponds across the Hawaiian islands prior to contact food production system for hundreds of years, mākāhā, which are unique to Hawaiʻi. Mākāhā Ahupuaʻa were controlled by a konohiki, or headman, with westerners. An inventory in 1901 identified but declined in use dramatically after contact are made of small tree branches about 1⁄2 inch in who among many other duties, controlled fishing 360 fishponds, only 99 of which were active, with with westerners and the subsequent cultural and diameter lashed together to form a grate within the rights and led the construction of fishponds. The an estimated annual production of about 486,000 socioeconomic changes and shifts in land use. sluice channels that connect the pond to the sea. The kiaʻi loko, or caretaker of the fishpond, lived at the pounds of ʻamaʻama and 194,000 pounds of awa. mākāhā allows fingerlings, or juvenile fish, to enter pond and was responsible for closely monitoring Fishponds disappeared dramatically during the Today, the spirit of Kūʻula is being revived in a the pond and fatten up on the abundant seaweed and and protecting the stocks from poachers. At the twentieth century. Westernization, development, and growing movement to restore fishponds across algae, but retains grown fish that are then too large konohiki’s request, the kiaʻi loko harvested fish from changes in land use, especially the spread of invasive the islands. Fishpond practitioners are combining to pass through the grate and return to the open the pond. Beyond the management of the fish stocks, mangrove and sediment accumulation from lack of western science with traditional culture and ocean. Mature fish congregate on the pond side of accumulation of silt was a perpetual challenge. When management, were the biggest factors, but fishponds knowledge to develop fishpond practices that are the mākāhā during incoming tide and on the ocean sediment became a problem, the kiaʻi loko would were also lost to lava flows and tsunamis. adaptable to today’s sustainability challenges. side during outgoing tide. This makes for easy harvest organize members of the ahupuaʻa to rake the pond with dip nets. bottom and move the silt and sediment near the There is an expanding movement to restore A Uniquely Hawaiian Invention mākāhā where it could be flushed out with outgoing fishponds as a way to grow food and educate The distinctive, rock-walled fishpond, or loko kuapā, While loko kuapā are the most common fishponds, tides. A person had to be immensely knowledgeable communities about culture and history. In 2012, that Kūʻula and his descendants built likely evolved there are also other varieties of fishponds in Hawaiʻi. about a wide range of important matters to be given the permitting process for working on fishponds from fish traps early Polynesian settlers brought Loko puʻuone are natural ponds located behind a the position of kiaʻi loko. was somewhat streamlined, reducing some of the to Hawaiʻi. These traps took advantage of tidal beach or sandbar which hold brackish water. They regulatory barriers to restoration. Since then, dozens flows on shallow reefs to capture fish. Subsequent are turned into active fishponds by digging a channel “Besides being stonemasons and expert of restoration efforts have developed at fishpond loko kuapā are also constructed on the shallow, to connect the pond to the ocean. Loko iʻa kalo are fisherman, they had to understand tidal flows sites across the Hawaiian islands. nearshore reefs but are much larger and innovative simply a combination of aquaculture with flooded and oceanography,” Rosie Alegado said. “They structures, ranging in size from an acre to more than terrace agriculture. Fish are added in with the taro understood the concept of watersheds and the “This is a living practice,” Alegado said. “Fishponds 100 acres. On Oʻahu, the functioning loko kuapā and raised in the flooded terraces. Loko wai are role of nutrients in streams and how they fed the represent the perpetuity of our culture, a way to at He‘eia has a 1.3-mile, hand-built seawall that is inland freshwater ponds made in natural depressions downstream growth of macro- and micro-algae in the connect with the traditions of our ancestors, but also 12–15 feet wide and encloses 88 acres. Freshwater from diverted streams or natural springs. fishponds. They had a deep connection to the ʻāina a way to feed people—it’s a key piece of Hawaiian runoff from irrigated agricultural terraces, or lo‘i, and [land], to moana [ocean], and to their community.” food sovereignty.” natural streams and springs brings nutrients which Fishponds were part of an integrated food stimulates the growth of plankton and algae, creating production system that stretched from the mountains A Living Practice As communities come together to “move rock” a productive nursery for many species of fish. to the oceans within the ahupuaʻa (Hawaiian land Researchers have estimated there were 488 and physically rebuild the stone walls of fishponds,

3 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 4 they learn about the knowledge ancient Hawaiians “FISHPONDS ‘FEED’ US, NOT JUST PHYSICALLY, BUT possessed about the natural world and the strong INTELLECTUALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND HOLISTICALLY AS A PART social fabric that tied their communities together. OF OUR LARGER ENVIRONMENT.” The organization Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA) works with grassroots networks of community - BRENDA ASUNCION, KUA groups involved in place-based stewardship. One of the growing networks KUA supports is the Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa (Hui), a network of Hawaiian fishpond practitioners and organizations. KUA helps Hui members with communication and education projects, hosts trainings and workshops on different issues related to fishponds, and organizes an annual meeting that brings practitioners together to share ideas and knowledge.

Brenda Asuncion, the loko iʻa coordinator for KUA, says there are now about 35 different community groups working at 49 different fishponds. Asuncion said the fishpond restoration projects vary from very active to informal. Some have developed formal partnerships with landowners and have made their way through the permitting process to begin physically rebuilding the fishpond. Others are working to engage the surrounding community and spark an interest in the cultural resource they may not have known was in their neighborhood.

“Regardless of whether a fishpond can or will be restored to the point of abundant food production, these projects often reignite a sense of kuleana, or responsibility, to one’s land and community,” Asuncion said. “Fishponds ‘feed’ us, not just physically, but intellectually, spiritually, and holistically as a part of our larger environment.”

Building Connections The loss of fishponds to land use change is perhaps most dramatic in Pearl Harbor.

Known historically as Puʻuloa, Pearl Harbor was once a center of fishpond cultivation, with more than 20 ponds lining the shore. The largest fishpond covered more than 200 acres. Most of the fishponds were filled in the early 1900s for sugarcane cultivation and later for urban development and Hui Mālama Loko Iʻa amplifies restoration by expansion of military facilities in the bay. bringing practitioners together for collective work. Kōʻieʻie, Maui, 2014. Photo: Alex Connelly, courtesy of KUA.

Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 6 Only three remaining fishponds in the area wall restoration, but in the short term, project “If you look at the numbers of ponds under were attracted to the freshwater. At Kalauhaʻihaʻi, the are relatively intact, and efforts are underway for volunteers are focused on education and community restoration and the number of kids and schools organization is now working with the landowner, the restoration. Kim Moa, a member of the Aliʻi Pauahi engagement. They hope to build a traditional that are visiting, we really have the opportunity to Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Civic Club and the ʻAiea Community thatched-roof hale as a gathering space for positively affect our communities,” he said. to lease the pond for community benefit and to Association, serves as kiaʻi loko (fishpond caretaker) practitioners, cultural programs, and meetings. restore the freshwater connection. for one of the ponds, Loko Paʻaiau. Currently located Fishpond practitioners are also using restoration on land leased for Navy housing, Moa sees Loko Education programs are the focus of many of the projects to bring attention to water systems and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center has already Paʻaiau as a place where local community members, loko iʻa groups, within a broader movement for ʻāina- mauka/makai (mountain/ocean) connections. been able to successfully restore the natural flow at visitors, and military families can come together to based education. Blake McNaughton is an educator Kānewai Spring. The group worked with The Trust build relationships to the land and each other. at the Kumuola Science Education Center for Chris Cramer is president of the Maunalua for Public Land to purchase the property, and have Kamehameha Schools on the island of Hawaiʻi and a Fishpond Heritage Center, a community group that begun restoration using volunteer workdays to “It is inspiring to be connecting with ʻāina in a very caretaker for the Waiāhole Fishpond, which is located is working to restore two loko wai, or spring-fed remove invasive plants and rebuild rock walls. Cramer urban place,” she said. “It is helping me to become on the schools’ lands outside of Hilo. The Center fishponds, along the shore of Maunalua Bay in East said when they first started the pond was just black more rooted in my community. My grandfather was a has set up a standards-based fishpond education Honolulu. Kānewai Spring and Kalauhaʻihaʻi Fishpond and stagnant. Now, the water has turned blue and fisherman who passed away when I was very young. program that involves students as real practitioners in are two of the few remaining freshwater springs on flows again. Learning about this loko iʻa has connected me to my restoration. Oʻahu. kupuna (ancestors).” “Everything is tied to the flow of water—that is the “We wanted to build a program that was more “These springs are windows into the underground basis of the food chain,” said Cramer. “Our message In partnership with the Navy, local community than just a field trip,” McNaughton said. “We wanted water table,” Cramer said. is, you have to protect the mountain-to-ocean flow of groups involved in the restoration of Loko Paʻaiau it to be multiple field trips, with real involvement freshwater.” have focused their efforts on bringing people together from the kids in the work we’re doing.” The springs were part of productive fishpond to raise cultural awareness of the fishponds and systems earlier in the twentieth century. Fish were To adapt to the many serious conservation connect people to the history and culture of the area. So far, students have been helping to dredge the grown in Kalauhaʻihaʻi until the mid-1990s when a and sustainability issues society currently faces, it ponds and remove invasive weeds. A group of third road construction project damaged a lava tube that may help to look to the practices of the past. For Navy archaeologist Jeff Pantaleo has been graders even designed a trap to remove invasive brought the spring water to the pond. The pond went Hawaiians, sustainability was a lifestyle built of instrumental in providing access to the site for Mexican molly fish from the ponds. dry and the nearshore ecosystem crashed. necessity. As the current generation of fishpond members of the extended community. He also practitioners relearns the traditions and skills on spearheaded a massive mangrove removal project “It’s super fun for the students,” McNaughton said. The millions of gallons of freshwater flowing from which these systems are based, they are helping funded by the Navy in 2015. Other restoration efforts “But it’s also serious work—we wouldn’t be able to the springs into the ocean were vital for nearshore reignite the spark of invention and adaptation have focused on bank stabilization with native plant get everything done without the help of the learners.” ecosystems. The mixing of fresh and saltwater embodied in Kūʻula’s first fishpond. And that may species. created a fertile estuary for limu, or seaweed, to be just the inspiration needed to plot a new path to Blake is working with other fishpond caretakers grow. This in turn was a thriving place for schools modern sustainability. Moa said one of the long-term goals for Loko to develop a consistent and effective education of fish and shrimp to feed. Rare limpets like pipiwai Paʻaiau is to complete sediment removal and curriculum across the different fishpond groups. (freshwater limpets), and hapawai (brackish mollusks)

Loko iʻa community work day at Paʻaiau, Pearl Harbor, Oʻahu. Photo: Kim Moa Thousands of years ago, people indigenous to the Pacific Islands traveled in large sea-going canoes, covering huge expanses of ocean. Exploring, trading, and settling newly found islands, including today’s Hawaiian Islands, these people carried their culture with them. Through the centuries, many of those cultural traditions, and even the materials and skills necessary to build seagoing canoes and navigate voyages by the stars, sun, ocean waves, and currents, were nearly lost to Westernization and technical modernization.

OF REDISCOVERY AND Beginning in the 1970s, however, methods for building the canoes and the art and science of “wayfinding,” a traditional navigation system using natural sources rather than modern navigational technologies, were rediscovered when the Polynesian Voyaging DISCOVERY Society (PVS) was established. Thanks to the people dedicated to keeping the culture alive, the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, a three-year, worldwide voyage by two sea- by RANDOLPH FILLMORE going canoes - Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia - “sister stars of gladness,” became a reality.

The Hōkūle‘a sails in waters off of Hakipuʻu, Hawaiʻi. Photo: Nāʻālehu Anthony, courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV. Photo: Logan Shannon, Outside In/NH Public Radio

equipped with communications technologies for global connectivity. Powered not only by wind but also by photovoltaic-driven electric motors, Hikianalia served as a floating classroom and science center.

Discovery - Science at sea To strengthen the scientific and marine conservation messages emerging from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage, Thompson reached out to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) prior to embarking on the voyage. Dr. Robert H. Richmond, research professor and director of the Kewalo Marine Laboratory, suggested collecting plankton, including fish larvae, along the way. One important task was to genetically analyze the samples to, as Richmond noted, “support the message that the oceans connect rather than separate the islands of the Pacific.”

At different times during the day and night, the crews collected plankton in small nets towed behind Hikianalia and Hōkūleʻa. The samples were analyzed using microscopes and iPhone scopes; images of the plankton were then uploaded to the internet so that scientists around the globe could compare the plankton samples with other samples collected elsewhere. By better understanding the tiny organisms, which serve as the base of the ocean food web, marine scientists can better understand the movements of fish and other marine resources.

The scientific work also included (among other studies) water analysis of temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen, and chlorophyll, to help understand the health of the oceans; marine debris and plastic pollution research, to study what microorganisms are colonizing plastic fragments; and fish DNA and Sailing to Tahiti. Photo: Scott Kanda, population research. courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV. Haunani Kane, an apprentice navigator aboard Rediscovery – Creating global relationships participating crew members, from all walks of life, Hōkūleʻa as well as a PhD student in geology and “Mālama Honua, the Hawaiian name for this rotated out of the ports-of-call and helped to spread geophysics at UH Mānoa, led several of the on-board journey, means ‘to care for our Earth,’” said Nainoa important messages about culture, tradition, the science projects. Just as tradition and science were Thompson, PVS president. “The purpose for the importance of integrating cutting-edge marine side-by-side on the worldwide voyages, tradition voyage was to engage communities worldwide on science with historical knowledge, and environmental and science came together for Kane, as well. During practicing how to live sustainably, creating global sustainability. the voyage, she blogged frequently about the relationships, inspiring others to care for our island crew’s scientific work and also fielded science-based Earth, and sharing indigenous Polynesian culture.” Hōkūleʻa, just over 63 feet long, carried 12-13 questions from school children by uplinked video. crew members and covered over 40,000 nautical Over three years, they covered 100,000 nautical miles. Hikianalia, 72 feet in length, sailed 60,000 “What we tried to do with each of these projects is miles, visited 23 countries, and stopped at 150 nautical miles with a 14-16 person crew. The canoe to break them down to the simplest concepts, talk to ports-of-call. Trained in Honolulu by PVS, 245 used sustainable solar and wind energy and was also people about them in basic terms, and try to relate it

11 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 12 to their culture, explaining why it’s important,” said Kane.

Rediscovering the art and science of ‘wayfinding’ Besides messages about the importance of environmental sustainability and marine science, the wa‘a (canoe) crews also carried messages about the value of ancient wisdom, such as traditional navigation using nature’s resources, a method called wayfinding. Traditional wayfinding across expanses of ocean without modern technologies, such as Hōkūleʻa reaches Pago Pago, Tutuila Island, the sextant, compass, or today’s global positioning American Samoa. Photo by: Scott Kanda, systems (GPS), relies on signs provided by nature. courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV. Hōkūleʻa’s first voyage from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti in 1976 was guided by traditional navigator Mau Pialug from Satawal in Micronesia. This voyage marked the first time in 600 years that a voyaging canoe had traveled between the two islands by wayfinding.

Thompson explained that the “star compass” is used as the foundation for navigation. “We have Hawaiian names for the houses of the stars - the places where they come out of the ocean and go back into the ocean,” he said. “If you can identify the stars, and if you have memorized where they come Kelley Anderson Tagarino with a view of Haunani Kane navigates in up and go down, you can find your direction. The star the Hōkūleʻa in Pago Pago Harbor, Tutuila compass is a mental construct to help you memorize Island, American Samoa. Photo courtesy of Australian waters. Photo: ʻĀina Kelley Anderson Tagarino. Paikai, courtesy of Polynesian what you need to know to navigate.” Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV. Educational ports-of-call In American Samoa, Kelley Anderson Tagarino, an roots and train a new generation of navigators, to extension agent with the University of Hawai‘i Sea help us navigate through the challenges ahead.” Grant College Program based at the American Samoa “...THE STAR COMPASS IS Community College (ASCC), organized a “talk story” She also noted that when the students were told session with three of the wa‘a crew and a student about the scientific aspects of the voyages, they A MENTAL CONSTRUCT TO guest who shared their experiences and offered began to understand better how the ocean around an overview of the voyage. According to Tagarino, them drives climate patterns and daily weather. Many HELP YOU MEMORIZE WHAT there are no traditional navigators or canoes left of the questions raised by students were focused on in American Samoa, so having Hōkūleʻa visit was traditional navigation and the crew experience, in YOU NEED TO KNOW TO important to remind people, especially the youth, terms of “where do you sleep, what do you eat?” But of their proud heritage. “While marine science was they also had questions about marine science, which, NAVIGATE.” important, the Hōkūleʻa worldwide voyage was according to Tagarino, was directly tied to the voyage about much more than this,” said Tagarino. “The as scientists aboard Hikianalia conducted science - NAINOA THOMPSON, PVS message carried by the wa‘a was that the Earth is lessons in real-time. “Having Rex Lokeni, a former our island, the only one that supports life, and just ASCC student on the voyage, come talk to us was a as islanders love and care for their own home island, pretty big event,” she said. “In the islands, there are so too must the world community come together as no separating impacts between land and sea. They one to support our island Earth. With the challenges are deeply intertwined and must be understood, and of climate change facing the next generation, the he really inspired many of our students to reconnect Hōkūleʻa voyage hopes to reconnect people to their with the ocean.”

13 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 14 Courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV. Hōkūle‘a, Hikianalia, and friends sail towards Magic Island for their homecoming celebration, Māmala Bay, Hawaiʻi. Photo: Nāʻālehu Anthony, courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society and ʻŌiwi TV.

Hōkūleʻa, the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s first traditional voyaging Homecoming at Magic Island, canoe, was launched in 1975. In Oʻahu. Photo: Nāʻālehu Anthony, Hawaiian, Hōkūleʻa means “star of Homecoming…but the voyage continues was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging gladness,” the name for Arcturus, On Saturday, June 17, 2017 Hōkūle‘a and overwhelmed with emotion at all we have Society and ʻŌiwi TV. the fourth brightest star in the sky. Hikianalia made their historic return to Hawai‘i, accomplished during this historic voyage, and we Hikianalia, named after the Hawaiian coming to port at Oʻahu’s Magic Island. The look forward to setting sail on the next chapter name for the star Spica, was launched homecoming was celebrated with a cultural together.” welcoming ceremony followed by an all-day in 2012. While Hikianalia had her own celebration shared by the community. In 2018, the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage sail plan for most of the world-wide continued as Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia, and their crew voyage, she and Hōkūle'a began - and “This voyage was the realization of decades members visited community ports around Hawaiʻi ended - the historic voyage side- of hard work and planning on behalf of to celebrate homecoming, deliver important by-side, not unlike their sister star the Polynesian Voyaging Society crew, our messages about sustainability, and help keep namesakes. partners, and friends around the world,” said rediscovered traditional Polynesian culture and Thompson. “Watching Hōkūle‘a crest the wisdom alive. waves of Oʻahu’s south shore as she returned home, much like the canoes of our ancestors,

15 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org TOE TIMATA 'UPEGA O LE GĀTAIFALE

by MEGHAN MINER MURRAY

Photo: Andre P. Seale Though Valentine Vaeoso Hawaiʻi, and 4,000 miles from the was born and raised in the island nearest part of the U.S. continent, territory of American Samoa, it was American Samoa has become not until a class field trip to a local dependent on food and fuel imports bay during her senior year in high to keep pace with global society. school that she donned a mask and In the last 50 or so years, there has snorkel and got a firsthand glimpse been an uncoupling of the average, of the islands’ offshore landscape. modern Samoan way-of-life from “When I first saw a coral reef, I was the old reliance on subsistence just amazed,” she said. “It’s just a fishing. whole different world under there.” Drawn by the experience, she took “One of the biggest problems a marine science class at the only in Samoa: at one point, [we] got public post-secondary institution so disconnected from the ocean,” in the territory, American Samoa says Rex Lokeni, a former intern at Community College (ASCC). the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, and a Samoan “I didn’t know anything about ambassador of Pacific island the ocean here in American culture who traveled the world Samoa until I [took the marine aboard the traditional voyaging science course], and I was just Abundant three-stripe damselfish canoe Hōkūleʻa on several legs of and yellowtail-blue damselfish feed astonished, amazed by the other off algae-covered finger corals in the its recently completed Worldwide life underwater,” she said. After shallow waters of Pala Lagoon. Voyage. Even for family fishermen the course, she left home to study who might want to maintain an Photo: Jeffrey marine science at the University of Kuwabara ocean-going way of life, highly Hawaiʻi at Hilo, but returned every efficient and larger-scale fishing summer to intern at the National operations based in Samoa make Park of American Samoa. a traditional way of life all but Vaeoso’s relatively late fact, in American Samoa (and impossible. “The Samoan way for A few short years later, Vaeoso introduction to the ocean would many other islands), the opposite fishing for tuna, you get in one is part of the next generation of have seemed very strange, is true. According to a report by canoe, and you paddle and chase Samoans helping to manage the considering her growing up on the American Samoa Swimming the school of tuna,” says Lokeni. islands’ precious aquatic resources. the 55-square-mile island of Association, a division of the U.S. “They’re pelagic so you have to get As a marine biotech through the Tutuila, so small that the entire Department of Health and Human out there…Now you have to go 60, American Conservation Experience island is considered coastal by the Services, there are surprisingly 70, 80, 100 miles out. Who’s going (ACE) program at the National National Oceanic and Atmospheric few people who can swim safely in to paddle one canoe out there?” Park, Vaeoso assists with the Administration’s (NOAA) definition. American Samoa, resulting in a high Interestingly, and perhaps tellingly, development of reef surveying The earliest Samoans landed incidence of death by drowning: the territory’s second largest import protocols, uses SCUBA to identify in the Pacific Island chain some on average, seven deaths per year. behind petroleum, according to coral for the park’s long-term 2,000 years ago via unparalleled Though that number may seem the Observatory for Economic climate change study, and trains to and sophisticated navigational small, on an island chain with a Complexity at MIT, is non-fillet operate the park’s boats. She has feats. They were able to survive population of just over 51,000, this frozen fish such as canned tuna. also assisted with coral bleaching there, building an identity and a rate is seven times higher than the and fish surveys, and has helped culture intricately connected to the United States average, according to The topic of why and how the keep local reefs healthy through the ocean. But today, Vaeoso is not an the report. disconnect from the sea came to eradication of Acanthaster planci, anomaly. be is not a comfortable one. Many or crown of thorns starfish, multi- Somewhere along the way, the modern Samoans do not live a legged starfish that eat coral and “There’s this stereotype… traditional Samoan relationship traditional Pacific seafaring way- whose populations have boomed that just because we’re from an with the sea was altered. A remote Snorkeling students examine the of-life; they eat at McDonalds, are out of control. island, we’re good swimmers as island territory some 3,000 miles reefs as part of the QUEST program, active on social media, and work well,” she says with a laugh. In from Australia, 2,500 miles from which teaches future resource in air-conditioned offices. With managers important tools like species identification and surveying techniques. 19 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Photo: Jeffrey Kuwabara Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 20 Kelley Anderson Tagarino instructs students in reef algae identification, as part of the QUEST program, offered through the American Samoa Community College. Photo: Jeffrey Kuwabara

like Vaeoso, who are working data collection, and monitoring not like some magic spell that you to ensure they incorporate an to preserve and protect today’s techniques to ensure the health have to go and become a wizard understanding of traditional marine resources, drawing on of the marine environment. to do. It’s actually pretty simple fisheries management, align the traditional reverence for the Importantly, QUEST is one of stuff most of the time.” with modern fishing practices, environment and the sea. Kelley the few avenues for local marine and consider local enforcement Anderson Tagarino, who has been resource managers to obtain Valentine Vaseoso took the capacity. Other NOAA fellows an extension agent for Hawaiʻi Sea scientific knowledge and tools QUEST course and credits it with tend not to be from their local Grant since 2013, was the marine that can help them in their jobs encouraging her towards a marine jurisdictions, so her holding this science coordinator at ASCC without having to go off-island. science career. Her older sister, position is significant. “I feel since 2009, and remembers being To date, the course boasts 45 Motusaga Vaeoso, also took the pressure that I need to represent impressed by the importance successful participants, 95% course to prepare for her new local people…and prove that of the ocean and reefs to the of whom are currently either job and learn survey techniques we can be managers of our own local culture. “It is a different continuing their education in when she was hired as a coral resources,” she said. mindset. It’s a subsistence society marine science or working in a reef monitoring technician for the that hasn’t been removed from relevant marine-related field. Coral Reef Action Group (CRAG). To encourage continuity in being a subsistence culture for “It played a really important the system, young Samoans who that long…So, I think that gives Tagarino believes the course is role for me,” she said. Today, do find themselves in natural a much greater appreciation using science to help bridge the Motusaga is the only one of resource management positions colonization, the local identity positions. Those outsiders are for the environment.” Through disconnect and giving the local seven NOAA National Coral Reef often conduct outreach activities, was changed, so “people sort of less likely to stay long-term in community outreach and new students confidence to tackle the Management Fellows based in regularly visiting local schools to forget…you can go swim in the American Samoa, and their higher training programs that teach jobs going to off-islanders. “These U.S. coral reef jurisdictions, and inspire interest in marine science ocean, you can go surf, you can turnover rate engenders a culture tangible marine resource kids who grew up watching the first Samoan to be selected as careers. “We’re trying to get more go voyaging, you can go paddle of inconsistency and discontinuity management skills in American researchers come in and do stuff a Coral Reef Fellow. Through the young-bloods coming in,” says your canoes out there, you can in resource management. Lokeni Samoa, there is not only a to their reef [can] actually learn position, she is working to revamp Motusaga Vaeoso. Valentine adds, go sailing,” says Lokeni. “The explains that while Samoans growing interest in preserving the skills to do it themselves… It’s the territory’s fisheries regulations “There’s a need for our students… disconnect…it’s the reality of what recognize that they must adapt marine resources, but also the local capacity to achieve it. we’re living in.” to the encroaching world, or lose A few species found in American Samoa waters: (clockwise from upper left): dusky anemonefish Amphiprion( melanopus), white-spotted their culture altogether, with hermit crab (Dardanus megistos), white-spotted blenny (Salarias alboguttatus), cushion sea star, underside (Culcita novaeguineae), and Further complicating the conservation the cultural aspect Perhaps among the most giant clam (Tridacna squamosa). Photos: Jeffrey Kuwabara issue, says Lokeni, is the way is important, especially when notable of these training conservation was applied by preserving something thousands programs is QUEST, or western colonial influences. of years old. “The people who Quantitative Underwater “Pacific Islanders retreat into a know it the best are the people Ecological Surveying Techniques, specific mindset when dealing who have been living there for a semester-long marine science with the concept of conservation, thousands of years. [They] just course at ASCC taught in part by because there’s a lot of trauma have to find the balance between Tagarino and founded in American that goes back into introducing what has already existed and what Samoa through a partnership modern day conservation, [of you’re trying to introduce. It takes between Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and enforcing] a Western mindset of time.” the American Samoa Community how to preserve one specific area.” College in 2011. QUEST was Empowering the Next adapted from a University of The legacy of colonialism Generation of Samoan Resource Hawaiʻi SCUBA-based learning has also created challenges in Managers program to a snorkeling-based connecting modern science Fortunately, there is a growing one for ASCC, where there is with traditional understanding. awareness of the disconnect, no diving program. It includes a The Samoan disconnect from and there is an appetite to popular week-long, in-water camp the sea meant outsiders have correct it using a balance of that literally immerses students historically been hired on short- traditional knowledge and in the course material over term contracts to fill needed modern scientific methods. There spring break, and offers tangible natural resource management is a new generation of Samoans, skills in species identification,

21 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org BUILDING A NEW FUTURE THROUGH to be knowledgeable in science or marine science course work, began to visit elementary and high design at ASCC for 31 years. In flair, Samoan-style, fused with the AQUACULTURE AND marine science, [to] assist visitors Lokeni secured an internship with schools to tell them “voyaging is siapo, traditional motifs, like sea Western materials,” said Fitiao. or…researchers from off island.” the National Marine Sanctuary amazing!” Then was rewarded “to birds, shells, and worms, are “an The art was hung prominently EDUCATION of American Samoa, and fulfilled see the young kids with their eyes ongoing link from past to present… in the Tauese P.F. Sania Ocean Valentine and Motusaga Vaeoso its outreach efforts by sharing his open, mouth wide open, say: OH! reminders of being connected with Center in Utulei, and though the Early this century, Congressman Eni H. represent a modern era of young knowledge about voyaging with Give us all this information. We nature,” Fitiao said. She has found pieces were only supposed to be Faleomavaega recognized the economic Samoan resource managers, who high school students throughout need to do this,” says Lokeni. “And, that when students start to explore shown for a couple of months, potential of environmentally-sound recognize that their best chance American Samoa. that’s their identity. They saw the meaning behind the designs, they have been on display for aquaculture practices for American for success is being true to their themselves in this message. They they are touched and realize the almost a year. Samoa, but understood that greater identity and culture and being “[I] started talking about are the guardians of the world and significance of the art. technical expertise was needed to assist prepared to address modern voyaging and… a couple questions their own place. Generations of Fitiao speaks of traditional in developing such an industry on the issues with scientific solutions. It that came up: What is voyaging? Samoans have not been taught Last year, Fitiao’s class Samoan art in broad brush island. In 2002, in collaboration with is also critical to foster that same What is that? What do you do this information.” partnered with Tagarino at ASCC strokes, in a way that could just the NOAA National Sea Grant Office, understanding in those who will when you go voyaging? Simple to explore and share information as easily be about the culture the congressman initiated a Hawaiʻi come after them. Motusaga is questions, yeah. And…we had to Reggie Meredith Fitiao has about two issues facing local reefs, itself: “It’s so beautiful, you know, Sea Grant extension position based actively encouraging younger figure out a way to connect with also been helping to revive lost through art. The class learned the harmony that is defined by at the American Samoa Community Samoans she knows to apply these kids.” The kids’ questions links through another cultural about community efforts in the arts that refer to our Samoan College. Initially, emphasis was placed for her National Coral Reef were particularly disheartening tradition, by making siapo (see- traditional fishing practices and culture, to our Samoan-ness, the on creating businesses around raising Management Fellowship next year. for Lokeni, who saw in them the ahpo), or stamped bark cloth, the the ongoing project to eradicate balance and the harmony that tilapia, giant clam cultures, and many “I hope we see more local people loss of an entire facet of Samoan traditional way since she learned the crown of thorns starfish, and depict [our culture] in these things other species. However, Dr. Darren taking on the fellowships in the culture, but he found he was in a it from her aunt when she was 11. turned those subjects into art. “It that have been with us since the future,” she said. position to turn things around, to Fitiao has taught siapo-making, culminated in these large, beautiful beginning of time.” Okimoto, the first extension agent inspire the next generation. He as well as painting, drawing, and paintings…you see the island-local hired, soon recognized the need for Reconnecting with the Ocean finding and retaining local marine Through Other Traditional resource managers. Encouraging marine Reviving lost links through the Practices cultural tradition of siapo-making. education became a critical element for Encouraging Samoan youth to the future success that the congressman appreciate the ocean does not sought for American Samoa. The current only mean encouraging them all agent, Kelley Anderson Tagarino, now into marine science careers. Rex supports multiple avenues to build and Lokeni motivates young Samoans maintain marine science expertise. to reconnect to the sea through Through several new and existing rediscovery of their voyaging marine programs, local students are roots. “My ancestors were…very encouraged, and increasingly qualified, connected by watching how the to fill managerial roles. “We’re getting environment changes in different more young people who completed their times, how the sky shifts in degrees off-island and want to bring that different times of the year. This goes all the way back into the expertise back home, want to take pride settlement of the Pacific,” says in their village and reef,” says Tagarino. Lokeni. These new leaders are building a skilled workforce that can serve community His grandfather was one of the needs now and in the future. last builders of traditional Samoan voyaging canoes, information Congressman Faleomavaega was born on that was not passed down to his American Samoa in 1943 and served his parents. Wanting to preserve his island home all his adult life, first in the army, own connection with the past, then as deputy attorney general, lieutenant Lokeni became interested in canoe governor, and finally as a US Representative building and voyaging. Following for 13 terms, from 1989 to 2015. He passed his studies at ASCC, which included away in 2017.

23 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 24 highest number of new species of fishes for one Randall hand-feeding a author except for one of his former graduate students small Whitetip Reef Shark whose valid percentage is less than one percent at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall higher. (A species is invalid if someone else had already Islands in 1976. Photo courtesy of Jack Randall. described it or if it was described without realizing the other sex was already named.)

Now a senior ichthyologist emeritus at the Bishop Museum, Randall’s fascination with fish started early in life. He was born in Los Angeles in 1924 where he grew up fishing with his parents. After graduating in 1950 from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a degree in zoology, he heard from an old Army buddy who had transferred to the University of Hawaiʻi. “(He) wrote back, ‘You would love it here, Jack; you can go barefoot to classes,” Randall recalls. He sailed Randall signs copies of the award-winning Reef and Shore Fishes a 37-foot ketch to Honolulu and enrolled in graduate of the Hawaiian Islands at the Waikīkī studies, earning a doctorate in marine zoology in 1955 Aquarium in 2008. Photo courtesy of with an exhaustive thesis on a classification of the Hawai‘i Sea Grant. surgeonfishes and a study of the biology of the Convict Surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus), known in Hawai‘i by the common name manini. Former colleagues and students, though, describe a work ethic that appeared inexhaustible. Pyle, now At the time, the marine life inhabiting coral reefs an ichthyologist at the Bishop Museum, recalls an was still poorly understood. Many fish species had expedition to the Solomon Islands in 1993 when he never been documented, while others had duplicate and another young graduate student vowed to match records, after being described by different scientists Randall, then in his 70s, dive for dive. After two days working on opposite sides of the world. Randall they were so exhausted they had to take a day off, WRITING THE BOOK helped bring order to fish taxonomy, methodically and limited themselves to five dives per day for the cataloguing newly identified species, with an uncanny rest of the trip. “Meanwhile, Jack continued his pace ability to notice when several different-looking fish for the remainder of the expedition,” he wrote, “and were actually the same species at different life stages. he was on his last dive of the day when another diver, ON REEF FISH Dr. Bruce Carlson, former director of the Waikiki by ILIMA LOOMIS One of the most surprising moments in Randall’s Aquarium, came to him bearing a sign which read career was seeing parrotfish spawn for the first time. THE BOAT IS LEAVING! Richard Pyle recalls joining John “Jack” It is no surprise that Randall was hard to stump. In When attending public hearings for a proposed That work ethic doesn't seem to be slowing down. Randall on a diving expedition in Palau in 1985. his nearly seven decades as an ichthyologist, Randall new marine reserve, Randall used the sex change Now 94, Randall continues to publish scientific papers Wanting to impress the legendary ichthyologist by wrote the book on reef fish — literally. As of today he of parrotfishes and wrasses as an argument for the and is finishing work on his memoir, Fish 'n Ships: The discovering a new species of fish, the 18-year-old Pyle has published 12 guidebooks on fishes, including the reserve. He said “What will happen to the populations Life of an Ichthyologist. scoured the reef for unusual specimens. 560-page volume Reef and Shore Fishes of Hawai‘i, of these fishes if you catch them before any are old published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant enough to have changed sex?” Randall later used his “Unfortunately, every time I came up with College Program, and the 707-page Reef and Shore discoveries about sex-changing species to advocate something I had never seen before, Jack not only Fishes of the South Pacific published by the University for better protection of fish at different stages in the The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program knew exactly what it was, but shared with me an of Hawai‘i Press. The books incorporate the Hawaiian reproductive cycle. has published two of the Randall publications: the 560- engaging anecdote about how it was first discovered names of native fish species, as well as describe the page Reef and Shore Fishes of the Hawaiian Islands and — in almost all cases by Jack himself!” he wrote in cultural uses of different marine animals. His 12th Asked how he was able to document so many the 65-page booklet Snorkeler’s Guide to the Fishes of a letter nominating Randall for the International book, an inventory of fishes of the Red Sea that tops fish species that were new to science, Randall Hanauma Bay. The latter is printed on waterproof paper Society of Reef Studies Darwin Medal, which Randall 800 pages, is now in publication. He has published says he did not have any secret method, although so it can be taken into the sea by snorkelers or divers. was awarded in 2016. 910 scientific papers and described 830 new species he acknowledges that he was among the first Randall has nearly completed a companion booklet, with of fishes, of which 97 percent are valid, which is the ichthyologists to use SCUBA equipment, a new Keoki Stender as first author, on the marine invertebrates technology in the early days of his career. of Hanauma Bay.

25 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 26 Aerial image of Hā‘ena, Kaua‘i from 2006 (orthorectified). Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Coastal Geology Group.

Communities across Hawai‘i Mākua, a lagoon within Hāʻena activities such as snorkeling, UNDERSTANDING ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS are working tirelessly to restore enclosed by a large fringing reef. diving, and kite surfing which they local level management of Elders describe Mākua, whose understand disturb the fish. fisheries based on traditional name means "parent" in Hawaiian, OF COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT IN HĀʻENA knowledge and practices. as a key spawning area. One When community leaders woman recalled being told as a proposed the Mākua protected AFTER THE FLOODS In Hā‘ena, on the island of young girl not to walk close to area as part of their local level Kaua‘i, community leaders and the shoreline in this area because management rules, certain state by MEHANA BLAICH VAUGHAN fishermen and women have footsteps would scare the baby agencies required additional worked for 30 years with the fish into deeper waters, where documentation of Mākuaʻs State of Hawai‘i to develop local they would be eaten by predators. importance, along with the fishing rules based on traditional Based on the elders’ historical impacts of non-extracive uses knowledge. knowledge of this area as a key on fish populations. So, Hāʻena hatchery and feeding area, the community members invited A prime example of the community has banned all entry researchers from the University importance of incorporating local into a portion of Mākua, not only of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa to knowledge is the success seen in for fishing but also for recreational conduct studies which verified that

27 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 28 MEHANA BLAICH VAUGHAN

Dr. Mehana Blaich Vaughan is an environmental social scientist whose work focuses on indigenous and community-based natural resource management. She comes from Namahana and Kalihiwai Kauaʻi, at the intersection of the rural moku (districts) of Haleleʻa and Koʻolau. Vaughan's research, teaching, and outreach are all interconnected around themes of eco-cultural restoration, ʻāina-based education, and community or collaborative management. Students in her classes Hāʻena, Kauaʻi. Photo participate in research projects courtesy of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant. that meet community needs, and community members help to serve as teachers.

the area was indeed a hatchery. surveyed Hāʻena most recently aggregation. They are piloting use alone to replenish and restock The students’ work is part of Vaughan is an assistant professor Now that the Hāʻena rules have in July 2018 and again, the first of underwater cameras to capture surrounding areas. a larger project guided by Pelika at the University of Hawaiʻi at become law, UH students who weekend in September 2018. behavioral changes as well as Andrade, faculty with UH at Hilo Mānoa in the Department of Natural worked on these and other Hāʻena While there, they worked with increases in abundance. Initial In the summer of 2018, the and Hawai‘i Sea Grant, and Emily Resources and Environmental fishery studies as part of their fishermen who described how surveys by these researchers, as Hā‘ena community was able to Cadiz, a graduate of UH Mānoa’s Management in the College of graduate work are returning to close to shore the schools of fish well as others working with the raise funds to hire four summer Department of Natural Resources Tropical Agriculture and Human help the community document the are now coming. As one fisherman State of Hawai‘i Department of interns, all high school students and Environmental Management. Resources. She is jointly appointed impacts of local level policies and exclaimed, “It’s just how I Aquatic Resources, document from local families. These The students are connecting with in the Sea Grant College Program management, including regulation remember growing up. I never increased numbers of fish as students spent the summer other communities in Kaʻūpulehu under the School of Ocean and Earth of recreational uses at Mākua. In thought I would see it this way well as an increase in individual learning techniques, passed down on Hawai‘i Island and as far Science and Technology and Hui April 2018, a major flooding event again in my lifetime, but now my sizes under community-based from generation to generation, away as New Zealand, who are ʻĀina Momona, an effort to build cut off the highway along with grandchildren are seeing it.” management. These findings to monitor ecological health of not only applying traditional connections between the University tourist access to Hāʻena, offering support the importance of these fisheries. They are looking knowledge in contemporary system and rural Hawaiʻi communities an opportunity to measure effects The researchers are now developing laws and management holistically at environmental policy and management, but also to enhance community level capacity of this unanticipated area closure. working with fishermen to approaches based upon indicators, from the mountain to reinvigorating and adapting this for natural resource management. develop techniques to document community knowledge, for the sea and throughout the year, knowledge for everyday use well Two of the researchers, Jade fish populations based on local example, of key places, like to account for seasonal changes into the future. Vaughan is the Author of Kaiāulu Delevaux and Kosta Stamoulis, knowledge of fish behavior and Mākua, that should be left in the ecosystem. Gathering Tides (see page 31).

29 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 30 BOOK REVIEW by JACKIE DUDOCK

The tide is rising ahead of the early morning sun on the northeast coast of the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i. Waves rush singing onto the outer reef where two throw net fishermen stalk the surge. An elderly woman with her silver hair in a kerchief makes her way GATHERING TIDES “ toward shore, two octopuses tucked in her mesh bag. Within hours, two hundred tourists will snorkel, sunbathe, and teeter on the coral, few ever knowing that people fish here or that their catch sustains A book by MEHANA BLAICH VAUGHAN an entire kaiāulu (community) connected to this stretch of reef. - Excerpt from Kaiāulu Gathering Tides In Kaiāulu Gathering Tides, author Mehana Blaich Vaughan* guides the reader’’ through history, revealing practices that sustained coastal communities for generations and set the stage for the cycle of sustainability in the Hawaiian islands. Vaughan uses mo‘olelo (stories) and narratives to emphasize and bind her research together and to illustrate the beauty, complexities, and resilience of a particular area of rural North Shore Kaua‘i. Throughout Kaiāulu, the reader is captivated by these mo‘olelo that carry lessons across generations and transmit the fabric of culture in spoken words.

Twenty years ago, Vaughan, began collecting the mo‘olelo of long-time residents of Ko‘olau and Halele‘a, through both casual conversation and sixty transcribed formal interviews. Multiple generations shared their experiences, focusing on the decades from 1920 to the present. Many of those who were interviewed are no longer living. Their experiences and observations provide depth to the mo‘olelo of the way of life that is rapidly disappearing.

Land use, including water, prior to 1850, was expressed in terms of kuleana (responsibility). Kuleana did not stem from ownership, but from the use and caretaking of the ‘āina (land). Each chapter of this book focuses on a different way of enacting kuleana in the process of sustainability. For example, Chapter two, Hōʻihi: Reciprocity and Respect, begins with maintaining a harmonious, mutually respectful, and interdependent familial relationship with the natural world. Chapter six, Carrying Kuleana Into Governance, focuses on community efforts to protect and make decisions about natural resources, despite conflicts with centralized state management.

In 2015, Governor David Ige, signed Hāʻenaʻs Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area rules into state law, a historic moment for local level fisheries management across Hawaiʻi. These rules represent twenty years of community work to create regulations based on traditional practices, changing ecological conditions, western science, and negotiation with all user groups. Initial studies of Hāʻena conducted since 2015 show increased biomass and abundance of many fish species under community management.

This thoughtful and moving book shares with the reader a realistic picture of what has been lost over the years, from 1788 to the present. It also reveals the resilience, commitment, and strength of some of those who have experienced a different, more responsive way to interact with the ‘āina, particularly our coastal resources.

Each layer of information in Kaiāulu builds naturally toward a broader yet detailed experience “KAIĀULU IS A BOOK ABOUT FISHING AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES of the challenges and possibilities for more effective coastal management in Hawai‘i. OF FISHING FAMILIES TO CARE FOR COASTAL RESOURCES.” Pipi holo ka‘ao – May the stories as always continue

Photo: Braden Jarvis - MEHANA BLAICH VAUGHAN *See Vaughan's biography on Page 30. Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 32 Lipe also remembered Puakea’s of Hawaiian Language Research the ‘grasp’ of the ‘insatiable hands “very instrumental” support for and Translation (IHLRT), with of death.’ Questioning these Hawaiian language education Puakea as its inaugural director. particular word choices, he asked Dr. Nogelmeier interviewed by from her earliest days in the Lipe, who has now stepped in as them, “Is the view of the man University of Hawaiʻi immersion schools. IHLRT’s interim director, wrote, “I who’s writing this in 1866 that News. Photo courtesy of UH News. think that the Hawaiian ancestral death is something to be feared Working for the revitalization knowledge that the Institute and is an insatiable enemy that movement first and foremost, brings forth is foundational in would grab you away?” Instead, Puakea got involved in some any work that is striving to bring they worked together towards a way at every level of Hawaiian Hawaiian knowledge and culture new translation more consistent education, and teaching Hawaiian into the academy.” with historical Hawaiian views language drove him to seek out of death. It may be only one authentic Hawaiian language Puakea views his contributions translation, but “multiply that by a materials. Through mentors as part of a much larger Hawaiian few hundred times, and you get a Theodore Kelsey, a Hawaiʻi cultural movement. In 2003, he different society.” elder, and June Gutmanis, he began Awaiaulu to house his learned to access the microfilm work training Hawaiian language Puakea sees Awaiaulu’s cache of Hawaiian newspapers translators towards a “modern continuing work as critical to circulated from 1834-1948. As proficiency.” But Awaiaulu also changing how Hawaiian language technology got better, he and trains translators to preserve education is approached at others published educational the Hawaiian values they see in the college level. Trainees books for children and adults historical sources as the language include current teachers and using translated information from adapts to modern society. administrators, as well as the newspapers. The translations The alternative is a Hawaiian community leaders. To him, the PUAKEA caught the interest of scholars in language that reflects a European change is already starting. education and the sciences, and worldview, which Puakea calls THE CONSUMMATE KUMU the project’s scale kept growing. “dangerous.” “I’ve led a long and over- by JAMES BRANCHO caffeinated life, so I’ve gotten a lot In 2016, the University of He cited a recent example done,” he said. And fortunately, Hawaiʻi created a home for the where trainees translated a he is not done yet. Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier hula, and then immersed himself instructors. Fortunately, he translation work in the Institute passage about a woman lying in retired from the University of in Hawaiian culture and language. caught on fast, and soon gained Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in May after 35 For Puakea, to learn and teach a reputation as an accessible years in front of the classroom. Hawaiian was to join a passionate, resource for students, “informal A dedicated teacher with energetic revitalization but rigorous.” high expectations, he worked movement. throughout educational settings “Within a week really, my life in Hawaiʻi to foster a revitalization “Learning [Hawaiian] was a was changed. I loved being able to of the language he cares deeply revolutionary and conservationist build enthusiasm and appreciation about. He will continue that act. Just learning the language in a whole bunch of young people calling full-time at Awaiaulu, a was being a participant.” for something that I really cared non-profit he founded to train about,” he said. the next generation of Hawaiian He graduated from the language mentors. University of Hawaiʻi with dual Dr. Kaiwipuni Lipe, Native degrees in Hawaiian Language Hawaiian affairs program officer Puakea settled in Hawaiʻi after and Pacific Island Studies by the at UH Mānoa, recalled her own an adventure went awry due time he was 30, and became a impression as a former student to the lack of a valid passport. teacher. “I never wanted to be of his: “He’s committed, he He first became involved in the a teacher,” he said, but he tried expects excellence, and he brings Hawaiian community through at the insistence of his former excellence himself.” IHLRT translators ʻAnoʻilani Aga, Kaimana Chock, Paige Okamura, with Dr. Puakea IHLRT ʻohana Paige Okamura, Kilika Bennett, Nogelmeier. Photo courtesy of Voice of the Sea television series, voiceofthesea.org. ʻAnoʻilani Aga, Kamealoha Forrest, and Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier. Photo courtesy of ʻAnoʻilani Aga.

33 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 34 OLD NEWSPAPERS, NEW LESSONS by JAMES BRANCHO

It was the late summer of When the study’s co-author “You have a fully literate like the library to really help that “The scientists are just hot to Hawaiian language production 1871, and a strong hurricane had Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier first nation. That’s important. And understanding move forward.” get at [the newspapers],” said Nā Kau A Hiʻiaka, a play depicting just rambled over the islands of began digitizing and translating full distribution, so it [had] Nogelmeier. “They’re smart the legend of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Hawaiʻi and Maui. It scattered the century-old newspapers, he governance, business, history – IHLRT has already made enough to see there’s data Pele’s younger sister. Because buildings, snapped old trees, and had no doubts that the modern everything the Internet is today waves across the university. A there. Why would you not go get the production was fully in flooded the land. Many residents community had something to was embedded.” Much of the collaboration between IHLRT and existing data?” Hawaiian, audiences were were getting to work rebuilding learn from the native Hawaiian information dealt directly with the School of Ocean and Earth encouraged to study the legend their homes after the storm. record. Today, 15 years and caring for the land of Hawaiʻi, Science and Technology (SOEST) Many of IHLRT’s early using English translations such as 76,000 newspaper pages later, from farming tricks to weather produced the study on the 1871 tangibles have come from STEM Nogelmeier’s 2008 version. Lipe But with the work of rebuilding he and his colleagues hope to observations. hurricane whose findings affected disciplines and the University said that having the translations also came the work of writing. give Hawaiʻi the tools to hear the insurance and legal decisions. It of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College heightened the impact of the Some wrote out detailed voices of generations past. The “Look at sustainability, right?” is a concrete demonstration that Program, but there is something play “because of [viewers’] access descriptions of the storm for the Institute of Hawaiian Language said Dr. Kaiwipuni Lipe, IHLRT’s people living in Hawaiʻi today for every field in the archive. to this knowledge that they local newspapers, because they Research and Translation (IHLRT) current Interim Director and UH have something to learn from “We’re hoping that Hawai‘i Sea then felt come to life.” For some knew their community – now was created in 2016 to house Mānoa’s Native Hawaiian affairs historical knowledge. Grant is the model that inspires viewers, it was the first time they and in the future – would need to these efforts. Collaborations program officer. “What is it really other departments on campus to felt connected to their Hawaiian know what they saw. between translators, scientists, doing? It’s really looking at, ‘How A team led by Dr. Pauline use the newspapers,” said Lipe. ancestors. and educators have yielded did indigenous peoples manage Chinn of the College of Education Over a hundred years later, a unique projects and surprising their resources?’ Because that’s received a 2011 National Science Lipe stresses that while “I see a growing recognition team at the University of Hawaiʻi insights, but for many, the what we need to sustain the Foundation grant to use the seeing Western science benefit of the value of this body of helped unearth that historical translation project’s impact future.” newspapers to develop Kahua from Hawaiian knowledge is knowledge,” said Nogelmeier. record. Prevailing wisdom holds extends beyond the scholarly Aʻo, a curriculum empowering “validating” to many in the He predicts a snowball effect the Big Island is hurricane-proof, fruits to something much greater. Lipe sees IHLRT as a critical science teachers to bring Native community, it must be seen as as researchers from new fields with few hurricanes making piece of the University of Hawaiian voices into STEM part of a larger movement to discover the resource and actual landfall on the island. According to Nogelmeier, Hawaiʻi’s broader mission classrooms. The project also revitalize Hawaiian culture on its generate fresh ideas and skills But, using descriptions from the IHLRT’s inaugural director to become more of a Native hopes to bring more Hawaiian own terms. “Because our people from it. “This resource will keep Hawaiian language newspapers, before his retirement from the Hawaiian place of learning. “A students into STEM with don’t often speak Hawaiian yet, everybody busy for a hundred the team recreated the 1871 University of Hawai‘i in May 2018, core part of that is helping the culturally-aware education. access to translations of what our years, and it’ll still be valuable for hurricane’s likely path over the the Hawaiian papers are unique. university understand Hawaiian kūpuna […] said in the newspaper another hundred.” Big Island and scored it a category Hawaiians used the newspapers values and what Hawaiian The projects share the same is a real way for Hawaiians to 3. The findings were published – not books – as their chief knowledge has to contribute to motivation: the Hawaiian voices validate themselves.” in the Journal of the American vehicle for recording and sharing the world...[IHLRT] is like the in the newspapers knew how to Meteorological Society in January knowledge. treasure trove,” she said. “It’s care for their land, and we need She related her experience of 2018. to learn from them. acting in Kauʻi Kaina’s 2017

35 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 36 MAKALI‘I Dec/Jan

Makali‘i is marked by the THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE dominant presence of the star constellation Makali‘i in the by PELIKA ANDRADE night sky. Double rainbows are still ever-present and Huli ‘ia is an observational process documenting seasonal changes and shifts across weather systems continue to entire landscapes, ma uka to ma kai (from the mountains to the ocean). Developed by Na Maka o Ola nā mea kanu o kēia ‘āina nei e uhi ‘ia e nā pua, nā hua, a me nā kupu hou. Papahānaumokuākea, the Huli ‘ia process documents these natural changes over time, identifies move in… Plants are abundant and healthy, covering the land with flowers, seeds, and new growth. (Pelika Andrade) dominant cycles of important species or natural occurrences (e.g. flowering, fruiting, presence/ absence of flora/fauna, cloud formations, spawning or recruiting of fish species, etc.), and assists in identifying any correlations between species and occurrences. Those correlations help to identify the occurrence of a less visible situation (e.g. fish spawning) when a more obvious one happens (e.g. a flower species blooming). Natural cycles can then be used to support and guide management practices, rather than relying simply on the time of year, which has become more problematic as a management indicator with natural shifts due to climate change. Using natural cycles for decision-making provides a needed flexibility to ensure the best choices of when to harvest and when to allow areas and species to rest. Huli ‘ia strengthens the kilo (observer) in community members and supports the cultural practice of kilo, establishes and deepens intimate relationships between people and place, and provides communities with guidance to support sustainability, health and wellness, and mālama ‘āina (participation in caring for our resources).

An important product of huli ‘ia is a seasonal calendar showcasing the dominant natural cycles and their correlations. These compiled cycles provide us with a timeline of place and a well-documented resource to guide discussions and implementation of best practices in support of these cycles and, ultimately, their productivity. The seasonal calendar also includes ‘ōlelo no‘eau, a traditional system of transferring knowledge through wise and easily remembered sayings. Based on their monitoring activities, participants compose a new, contemporary set of ‘ōlelo no‘eau that capture the knowledge of today by using a traditional mechanism to pass information to the next generation. This huli ‘ia seasonal calendar applies an innovative approach to repair, maintain, and improve natural resources by encouraging awareness and consciousness of participants and the community at-large. Ideally, this will support best practices and improve the health of natural resources. Visit hawaiiseagrant .org to view the complete full-sized image of this calendar.

Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 38 Season descriptions below are from the Huli ‘Ia seasonal calendar, available at HawaiiSeaGrant.org NANA WELO IKIIKI KA‘AONA CALENDAR EVENTS Through the transition into summer, the colors The characteristics of winter have gone and we The ocean has calmed with some days of As sky and ocean conditions calm, activity of surrounding us become less vibrant. settle into summer. perfect glassy conditions. beneath the ocean surface seems to increase.

WELEHU MAKALI‘I KĀ‘ELO KAULUA In Welehu, we see an increase in huge Makali‘i is marked by the presence of the Vibrant sunrises and sunsets mark this time The sandy shoreline is shifting and moving weather systems... star constellation Makali‘i in the night sky... of year... while schools of Moi are seen in the shallows. MAR /APR APR /MAY MAY /JUN JUN /JUL

NOV /DEC DEC /JAN JAN /FEB FEB /MAR

04-06 JUN 09 MAR 07 APR CAPITOL HILL KĀKOʻO ʻŌIWI SCIENCE SEMINAR AT OCEANS WEEK COMMUNITY HANAUMA BAY This International CALEB JONES, AP WORKDAY The Hanauma Bay Symposium will bring 06 DEC 2nd Saturday of each Education Program hosts together experts from HŌʻIKE HĀʻULE LAU 2018 2019 month. Volunteer to free science seminars around the world to The event highlights clear invasive species, or films every Sunday better understand cross disciplinary weed, maintain lo'i evening throughout climate impacts on JUL 13 NOV mālama ʻāina 29 JAN kalo, and more! the year, 6:30pm- ocean ecosystems – KING TIDES EYES OF THE REEF scholarship delivered CORAL NURSERY & 8:30am -12pm. RSVP 7:30pm. 808-397-5840, and how to respond. TRAINING by various graduate FISHERIES TOUR kakoooiwi.org. [email protected], capitolhilloceanweek.org PHOTO SURVEY Training for ocean students in a round Tour the Division of 16 FEB or https://bit.ly/2J6gXVK. Join us in documenting users help in long-term table type setting. Aquatic Resources Coral ALOHA BOWL the highest high tides of protection of local reefs Come enjoy mea Restoration Nursery Hawai'i's only academic 15 MAR 08 JUN the year through ʻai, presentations marine science the King Tides Photo (learn to recognize and Anuenue Fisheries 22 APR WORLD OCEANS DAY and talk story time. competition for high PETER J. RAPPA and report threats). Research Center. Celebrate locally this Survey! "Sea" the future Hālau ʻo Haumea at schoolers will be held FELLOWSHIP EARTH DAY Presented in partnership Presented in partnership global event honoring with your own eyes and Kamakakūokalani, UH on the UH Mānoa Applications due Celebrate with your with OCEANIA, the local with OCEANIA, the local our oceans. Past contribute valuable data Mānoa, 5:00-7:00. campus, 8am-5:30pm. for this sustainable local community. UH chapter of the National chapter of the National events have included and observations to help 808-956-7419 or coastal development campuses will host Marine Educator’s Marine Educator’s ocean education, coastal communities uhsgcomm@hawaii. fellowship. Contact activities throughout Association. Waikīkī Association. Sand Island, sustainability activities, prepare for the impacts edu. Maya Walton at the day. Visit Aquarium Classroom, 3:30pm. Limited to 10 and fun for all ages. Visit of sea-level rise. Visit 808-956-6992 or www.hawaii.edu/calendar 6pm-7:30pm. people. Email: roney@ worldoceansday.org for PacificIslandsKingTides. [email protected]. for updated information. Email: [email protected] hawaii.edu details. org for dates and details.

ALOHA BOWL 2019 WORLD OCEANS DAY 2019 Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is the proud organizer of Hawaiʻi’s regional Ocean Sciences Bowl, dubbed the Aloha Bowl. This June 8th marks the annual day to celebrate the global ocean and to collaborate in protecting it for a better future. educational program is a nationally recognized and acclaimed high school academic competition that provides a forum Around the Earth, people participate in thousands of events honoring our oceans, acknowledging that healthy world for talented students to challenge their knowledge of marine science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, oceans, the lungs of the planet, are critical to our survival and that we must help protect and conserve this valuable and geology. The winning team will represent their school and region in the national competition held in Washington DC. resource that connects us all. Find more information about local Hawaiʻi events at http://www.worldoceansday.org. For more information: call (808) 956-7410 or email [email protected]. 39 Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org Ka Pili Kai • Ho‘oilo 2018 • hawaiiseagrant.org 40 KA PILI KAI (ISSN 1550-641X) University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 Honolulu, HI 96822

KING TIDES PHOTO SURVEY "SNAP THE SHORE, SEE THE FUTURE"

Join us for winter photo surveys in... GUAM AMERICAN SAMOA

2019 summer photo surveys in... HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Visit PacificIslandsKingTides.org for dates and details.

FIND OUR APP AT: pacioos.org/kt Photo: Andre P. Seale

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