Application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices of Indigenous Hawaiians to Re-vegetation of Kaho'olawe
Kaho‘olawe Island's restoration draws on traditional Hawaiian ecological knowledge and land management practices to guide native vegetation recovery. This review highlights lessons from chants, cultural traditions, and documented Hawaiian practices, demonstrating how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to successful ecological restoration efforts
Subject Tags
- Indigenous Peoples
- Conservation Planning
- Habitat restoration
Abstract
Kaho‘olawe Island has been established as a natural and cultural reserve, and an ongoing process of removal of dangerous unexploded ordnance is to be followed by a restoration of the native vegetation of the island, now largely denuded and highly disturbed by alien weeds. As part of the planning process for this effort, a review of Ha-waiian traditional ecological knowledge and land manage-ment practices was undertaken, offering many premises, precedents, and practica for the effort, all stemming from chants and recorded practices of Hawaiians. It becomes clear that traditional approaches have much to offer the modern restoration effort.
Citation
Gon III, S. M. (2008). Application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices of Indigenous Hawaiians to Re-vegetation of Kaho’olawe. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 1, 005–020. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/23
TNC Authors
-
Dr. Samuel M. ‘Ohukani‘ōhi‘a Gon, III
Sr. Scientist Cultural Advisor. Hawaii
The Nature Conservancy
Email: sgon@tnc.org