Reverence & Restoration

“For those who visit to do the necessary work to keep Hawaiʻi thriving, they invest their energy into something that is bigger than us as humans — they have contributed to encouraging Hawaiʻi’s environment and species to thrive,” says Joey Kalanakilaokalāhui Palupe, a Hawaiian sustainability kumu (teacher) at Kamehameha Schools. Industry partners and community organizations throughout the state signed on to answer Mālama Hawaiʻi’s call to action, acknowledging the positive impact these shared experiences could provide.

On Oʻahu, Sheraton Waikiki partnered with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. On Maui, Wailea Beach Resort provides Hawaiian quilting courses to craft blankets that are donated to kūpuna (elders) or those in need. And on Hawaiʻi Island, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa leads guided cleanups on neighboring beaches and cultural sites. The movement marks an urgent and necessary shift for the state’s tourism industry after the reckoning sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unburdened by the imposing weight of both physical and carbon footprints, wildlife that once struggled to persevere began to thrive again. Week after week, local and national news reports showcased footage of this ecological regeneration: Crystalline ocean waters and pristine beaches were the clearest and cleanest many locals had seen in their lifetimes; massive fish “bait balls” appeared, drawing sharks ashore to feed freely and undisturbed by boats; and coral reefs, once progressively devoid of marine life, revived all manner of oceanic organisms. The scenes served as a reminder of Hawaiʻi’s true potential when its ecosystem is allowed to simply be. Those days, however, were numbered. As the world began to reopen and travelers returned to the state, the challenge of balancing Hawaiʻi’s need for tourism with environmental protections would renew once again.

In preparation for that moment, industry leaders began reimagining the future of tourism, asking themselves: Without an understanding of Hawaiʻi’s deep and profound connection to the natural world, how can visitors possibly learn to care about it as well? What could a harmonious relationship between locals, visitors and the land actually look like? “Culturally, we do not believe in living off of the land. We believe in living with the land,” Explains Palupe. “This comes from the idea of serving the ʻāina [land] so that it too can thrive and not just survive — and in turn we thrive as kānaka [native Hawaiian people].”

The ponds’ unique design is a symbol of Hawaiian ingenuity — each is enclosed by an extensive kuapā (fishpond wall) steeped in ancestral knowledge. The kuapā employs a dry-stack wall method known as uhau humu pōhaku , meaning the wall is kept upright and intact without the use of mortar. Noted as the essence of Hawaiian fishponds, the kuapā relies solely on the careful placement of volcanic rock, coral and foundation stones to protect against wind and waves.

The porous volcanic rock wall welcomes seawater into the pond, while the mākāhā (sluice gates) made of lashed tree branches allow juvenile fish in to nourish the pond’s aquatic life. Still, Hawaii’s ancient fishpond traditions are handed many difficulties. More than 300 loko iʻa once flourished across the state, yet only 40 are in the process of being restored or maintained. Today, the ponds face a historic rise in “king tides,” an acute increase in ambient temperature, and a decrease in nourishing freshwater sources from the mountain, all of which threaten the delicate balance of the loko iʻa ecosystems. On top of this, the pandemic led to a loss of thousands of annual volunteers.

Through hands-on experience, volunteers feel a greater connection to the land and community. By working together to restore these ancient resources, stewards hope to instill cultural values in their volunteers.

“Teaching the traditional resource management operations of our ancestors can help visitors understand the connection between mauka and makai,” says DeCoito. “It demonstrates how brilliant the fishpond design is and how much we can still learn from these practices.”

But for those immersed in native wisdom, the spiritual connections that Hawaiian values impart are truly transformative. The Mālama Loko Ea Foundation stresses the philosophy of mālama ʻāina (to nurture the land) as a movement toward sustainable living not just as important, but as a necessity. “Working harmoniously with the ʻāina is what it takes to maintain and restore historic and culturally significant resources on our island,” notes DeCoito. “Together we can learn more about these special places and ensure they exist for future generations.”