A Hawaiian Renaissance That Could Save the World
This American Scientist article highlights how Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge, ecological stewardship, and the ahupuaʻa resource management system supported large, self-sufficient populations while maintaining healthy forests and ecosystems. Drawing on historical records and modern research, it explores how these practices can inform contemporary sustainability and conservation efforts.
Subject Tags
- Ecosystem management
- Indigenous Peoples
Introduction
A Hawaiian Renaissance That Could Save the World examines how Native Hawaiian society developed sophisticated resource management systems that enabled a large, self-sufficient population to thrive while maintaining a relatively small ecological footprint. Drawing from Hawaiian-language archives, archaeological evidence, ecological research, and agricultural modeling, the authors describe how traditional practices supported food production, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and ecosystem resilience across the Hawaiian Islands. The article explores the ahupuaʻa and moku management systems, which integrated upland forests, agricultural lands, freshwater resources, and nearshore marine ecosystems into coordinated social-ecological units. It also traces the impacts of Western settlement, habitat loss, invasive species, and cultural suppression on both Hawaiian ecosystems and Native Hawaiian communities. Finally, the authors highlight the ongoing Hawaiian cultural renaissance and the growing integration of Indigenous knowledge with modern science. They argue that Hawaiian biocultural approaches offer valuable lessons for sustainability, climate resilience, conservation, and responsible resource management worldwide.
Suggested citation
Gon III, S. O. & Winter, K.B. 2019. A Hawaiian Renaissance That Could Save the World. American Scientist. Pp. 232-239
TNC Authors
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Sam ‘Ohu Gon
Hawai‘i Sr. Scientist & Cultural Advisor
The Nature Conservancy
Email: sgon@tnc.org