Land and People

EP 10 Former Molokai Nature Conservancy director Ed Misaki on seeing watershed protection through hard times

Ed Misaki, retired director of Molokai conservation programs for The Nature Conservancy worked since 1982 on the island where he was born and raised. He faced personal and professional challenges most of us can't imagine. His controversial non-native animal removal programs--aimed at removing deer, pigs, and goats--protects the most fragile upland forests. His story is one of resilience through difficult times, inspired by his love and desire to restore and protect the wao akua (native upland forest, or realm of the gods). Ed demonstrates true community engagement and commitment through the good and bad, and the value of ahupua`a protection in garnering and sustaining broader support.

EP 9 Brian Naeole on the value of hunting while keeping the native forest free from introduced animals

Brian Naeole, former Field Coordinator with The Nature Conservancy Molokai speaks to growing up homesteading on Hawaiian homelands, hunting, farming, raising pigs, and surfing while restoring native ecosystems on his home island. He describes the hard work that goes into fencing watersheds and removing the non-native animals like pigs, goats and deer that do so much damage to Hawaiian ecosystems within those fences, while at the same time raising livestock on his homestead for food.

EP 8 Penny Rawlins Martin on the stewardship lessons that voyaging on the 1976 Hōkūle‘a sailing canoe can teach us

Penny Rawlins Martin is one of the first two kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiian) women to sail as a crew member on the first 1976 voyage of the Hōkūle‘a Hawaiian sailing canoe between Tahiti and Hawai‘i, a 2,500 mile journey of her ancestors. She takes us back to the energy of the 1970s during the Hawaiian renaissance where the language, music, dance, voyages and land-back initiatives were being fought for, revived and uplifted. Penny shares with us her many lessons aboard the canoe, namely care for one another through love of the land and concern for its limited resources--now commonly referred to as aloha ‘āina. She brings these historical, social and environmental perspectives to Moloka‘i students through her work with Papahana Kuaola, a non-profit education organization aiming to connect students to culture, place and history with an eye towards a sustainable future.

EP 7 Insect biologist and ecosystems advocate Steven Montgomery brings us the beauty & fragility of Hawai`i’s smallest creatures

Beginning with his arrival in Hawai`i in 1968, Dr. Steven Montgomery University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa entomologist has studied genetics and molecular biology while discovering insects and plants new to science. While his expertise includes an extraordinary array of Hawaiian insects--from picture wing flies to the carnivorous caterpillar found no where else in the world--his passion includes everything from bee keeping and keiki education to Hawaiian ecosystem protection as a former member of Hawai‘i's Land Use Commission.

EP 6 Hawai`i educator Pauline Sato talks about creating a better world by learning about and loving where you live

Pauline Sato speaks to the evolution of `āina (land)-based learning across her decades long career in environmental education with Moanalua Gardens Foundation, Bishop Museum, The Nature Conservancy, and now as the Executive Director of Mālama Learning Center. While her broad reach in introducing many generations of students and stewards to the Hawaiian outdoors is well known, few know about how she connected with nature as a child watching television or her wild times in Wailau valley on Moloka`i. Now as one of the producers of the Oceanic Cable show "Outside Hawai`i"(watch the program here or at https://www.malamalearningcenter.org/) she enters a new realm of mālama (care) outreach and audience.

EP 5 Nan Ku`ulei Akau Cabatbat on honoring the land of her ancestors by caring for people

Retired Hawai`i Pacific Parks artist, educator and Hawaiian cultural practitioner Nanette ("Nan") Ku`ulei Akau Cabatbat speaks to her decades of chanting sunrise`oli at Hāleakala National Park, connecting both kama`āina and visitors alike to the place of her ancestors. She speaks to the values of caring for the land by sharing and connecting with the people under her care first and foremost.

EP 4 Hawaiian bird biologist Sheila Conant speaks to the joys and heartache of working with the rarest of the rare

University of Hawai`i at Mānoa professor emerita of biology and zoology Dr. Sheila Conant speaks to working with rare Hawaiian birds at a time when few women did so. While her publications, awards and distinctions are many, her lasting gift is painting the picture for all who will listen of both the beauty and fragility of Hawaiian creatures and plants. In this episode, she conveys the gravity of the situation with straight talk, but also humor, fun and passion.

EP 3 Pacific island botanist Steve Perlman talks about putting your life on the line for the love of nature

Steve Perlman, a botanist for the Kaua`i Plant Extinction Prevention Program (PEPP) talks about his love of Pacific island peoples in remote places, the thrill of discovering new plants, and climbing the highest sea cliffs in the world to save the last of a species.

EP 2 Bob Hobdy, retired Maui Island District forester talks about the early days of plant discovery

Bob Hobdy, former Department of Land and Natural Resources Maui district forester time travels back to the early days of discovering new Hawaiian plant species with renowned botanists Otto Degener and Harold Saint John-- all the way to present day.

EP 1 Hosts Dr. Clay Trauernicht and Melissa Chimera talk about the critical need for understanding ourselves in relation to the land

Hawai`i-based co-hosts Melissa Chimera and Dr. Clay Trauernicht talk about their respective careers in environmental stewardship, art and research and how a more holistic understanding of our place in the natural world is more important than ever before.