Latest news with #NativeHawaiians
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled controversial Thirty Meter Telescope
The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF's fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. The president had sought to slash the NSF's $9 billion budget by 56 % as part of a broader pattern of federal funding reductions. According to the budget proposal, the NSF will support only one of two U.S.-backed 'extremely large telescope ' projects due to financial constraints. The agency opted to advance Chile's GMT into a 'major facility final design phase, ' stating the TMT will not advance to the final design phase and will not receive an additional commitment of NSF funds. The TMT was first proposed in the early 2000s as one of the most ambitious astronomy projects ever attempted, featuring a 30-meter segmented mirror nearly three times the size of any currently in operation. It is led by a consortium of U.S. and international scientific institutions, with the University of Hawaii serving as the local site partner. Many Native Hawaiians consider Mauna Kea the most sacred place in the islands, often describing it as a spiritual and ancestral homeland, and believe that constructing the telescope would further desecrate the mountain, which is already home to roughly a dozen observatories. TMT has faced repeated delays and soaring costs—from an initial estimate of $1.4 billion to $3 billion—alongside intense protests that halted construction in 2019 and sparked broader conversations about Indigenous rights, land stewardship and the role of science in Hawaii. Despite those challenges, the TMT collaboration has long hoped to secure NSF funding to move the project forward. But the NSF's new budget request makes clear that continued financial support for both telescopes is 'unaffordable, ' and that only the Chile project has 'assurances ' of completing its design phase without further investment. Even for GMT, the path ahead is not guaranteed. NSF emphasized that advancing to the final design phase 'does not obligate the agency to provide any further funding ' or approve construction. Nonetheless, the decision leaves TMT's future far in doubt, especially without a clear backup site and persistent community opposition. Native Hawaiian activist Hea lani Sonoda-Pale described the funding decision as a rare and important win for Native Hawaiians, especially the 'protectors ' who filed formal comments and advocacy letters aimed at influencing NSF decisions. Still, Sonoda-Pale said she doubts that Native Hawaiian concerns played a meaningful role in the Trump administration's decision-making, suggesting the NSF funding cut for TMT was more likely the result of broader budget priorities than a conscious effort to support Native Hawaiian interests. 'I don't think the Kanaka Maoli are on his radar, ' she said. 'It just so happens the stars aligned and this was a win for Hawaiians … . This decision will empower Kanaka Maoli to keep moving forward and remain vigilant to protect Mauna Kea and all sacred places in Hawaii.' Gov. Josh Green and University of Hawaii officials deferred comment on the funding cuts to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, whose leaders were not immediately available to respond to the development. However, Hawaii island Mayor Kimo Alameda, who sits on the stewardship authority board, voiced deep disappointment over the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts, saying the move to defund TMT undermines not only the future of astronomy in Hawaii but also crucial Native Hawaiian economic and educational opportunities. Alameda framed his support for the telescope squarely around its potential to benefit Hawaiians. 'My whole support of the new version of TMT is to help Hawaiians and to help Hawaii, ' he said Saturday. 'You take TMT off the table, now we have the status quo because there's no motivation for decommissioning (other telescopes ).' He explained that keeping TMT 'on the table ' was about more than just supporting science ; the project provided important leverage to negotiate better terms with other observatories on Mauna Kea. He fears the mountain's stewardship will stagnate and critical revenues that could support Native Hawaiian immersion and charter schools and homestead programs will be lost. Alameda noted the ripple effect on the island's economy and the Native Hawaiian community in particular. Construction and operation of TMT represent decades of union jobs for carpenters, electricians, iron workers and laborers, he said. He also questioned the political logic behind shifting federal astronomy funding from Hawaii to the GMT under construction in Chile. 'Chile is a different country, right ? Trump's all about making America great again, ' Alameda said. He stressed that many Native Hawaiians may not fully grasp how defunding the TMT would be felt across Native Hawaiian programs and institutions relying on that revenue. With Congress yet to weigh in on the proposed budget, Alameda holds cautious hope that further developments may still support science funding, but he warned that the current trajectory threatens to end one of the nation's flagship astronomy projects and diminish Hawaii's role in global scientific innovation. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii ) agreed that the likely loss of NSF funding for TMT would set back Hawaii island's efforts to diversify its economy and create high-quality, sustainable jobs for local residents through education, workforce development and long-term economic opportunities that 'extend well beyond astronomy.' 'If we are unable to navigate complex challenges and reach consensus on projects that require the successful inclusion of community participation and feedback, it will send a concerning message to future partners and invite caution from government funders when local commitment and community alignment are uncertain, ' Tokuda said in a statement Saturday to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'At this critical moment, Hawaii must show it can come together to support responsible opportunities that strengthen our communities and secure a more resilient economic future.' Meanwhile, Hilo native Dakota Lee, 23, expressed conflicting feelings about the TMT project. 'Mauna Kea is a sacred place for the Hawaii community, and I think that the desecration of such a sacred place has been really hard on our community, ' said Lee, a Native Hawaiian. Reflecting on the emotional complexity of the situation, he added : 'My heart is sad because I know that that's a loss of funding for the community. I've always had such a difficult time just talking about this in general because I really do see both sides and connect with both sides.' He cited cultural insensitivity and past mismanagement of Mauna Kea, saying UH had 'handled things poorly ' by not adequately listening to Native Hawaiians before responsibility for the mountain was transferred to the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, which was established in 2022. But Lee also warned that the defunding of TMT could have serious consequences for Hawaii's economy and educational system, both of which depend heavily on support from scientific and research funding sources. He cautioned against oversimplifying the apparent defunding of TMT as merely a political win for Native Hawaiians. While acknowledging the widespread belief that the move aligns with opposition to the telescope, Lee stressed that it is more accurately a reflection of broader policy decisions undermining scientific research. 'While I think that the lahui will see this as a win, I think we also have to be really careful with how we see this as a win and what we do moving forward, ' Lee said, underscoring the delicate balance between cultural preservation and economic sustainability.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii's TMT project on chopping block amid federal cuts
HONOLULU (KHON2) — There has been a major development in the long-running battle over the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. A federal funding cut could mean major changes for the project's future. New mayor's support reignites TMT debate The TMT has been the center of fierce opposition and protest for years. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda used to be against the project and even took part in the 2019 protests, but a new authority has been in charge since 2022 and his stance has changed. 'Nine of 11 of us are Hawaiian. So that's like, the perfect mix to make this decision of what's best for the mountain. So I was thrilled,' Alameda said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Alameda said Native Hawaiian voices were finally leading the decision making when the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority was created. 'Not just for Hawaii, but I'm also fighting for Hawaiians because the 30 meter telescope allows us leverage to make the mountain better,' he said. 'What's the leverage to decommission five or six other telescopes? So, I don't think people realize that, you know, you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.' The National Science Foundation said it will not fund TMT through its final design phase due to budget cuts, despite the local momentum. The National Science Foundation will instead back the completion of the Giant Magellan Telescope that is already under construction in Chile. Anti-telescope protesters oppose US attorney pick for Hawaii 'The Thirty Meter Telescope is one of the most compelling American opportunities in this generation. It is designed to explore the earliest galaxies, probe the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and search for life on exoplanets. Mauna Kea is the premier northern hemisphere site for astronomy, and TMT will enable the United States to demonstrate global leadership, while setting new standards for partnerships with the community where it wishes to be built and operated,' TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu said in a statement. 'We are disappointed that the NSF's current budget request does not include TMT, but we remain firmly committed to finding a path forward for TMT,' Liu's statement continued. 'We can imagine a future in which NSF participation in the TMT would open opportunities for significant discovery to the entire US science community, and welcome further conversations to make this a reality.' 'As ever, we appreciate our many supporters who share a common vision for future generations, and for excellence, as we strive to bring TMT to all the communities engaged with us,' Liu concluded. Check out more news from around Hawaii The Mauna Kea Authority has the final say on land use decisions — including whether TMT can move forward — but the future of the telescope remains uncertain whiteout federal funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Find out more about Hawaiʻi's #1 ranking
\HONOLULU (KHON2) — In a recent survey, United States citizens were asked to pick which state was better in head-to-head matchups. Among all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., Hawaiʻi took the top spot by winning 69% of its matchups. 10 things you shouldn't do while visiting Hawaiʻi Known for its stunning beaches, warm weather, scenic mountains and unique culture, Hawaiʻi stood out as the favorite state of many respondents. Colorado came in second, with 65% of matchups won. Famous for its hiking trails, mountainous landscapes and recreational marijuana industry, Colorado also gained strong support. Virginia earned third place with 64%, likely due to its rich American history and beautiful coastlines. Other states that performed well included Nevada (61%), home to Las Vegas, lots of Native Hawaiians and a popular entertainment destination; and North Carolina, also with 61% of votes. Florida followed closely in sixth place with 61% as well, known for its beaches, theme parks, and warm weather. Arizona (60%) and New York (59%), with its Broadway shows and cultural attractions, also made it into the top the other hand, some states ranked lower. Alabama and Mississippi tied for last place, each winning only 38% of the matchups. Other states like Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota also scored lower, with win percentages ranging from 39% to 42%. Interestingly, Americans tend to favor their home or current state of residence. The study found that 77% of people selected their home state as the better choice, while 79% chose their current state of residence. People living outside their home state picked it 70% of the time. Hawaiʻi ranked #1 in the survey, winning 69% of its matchups. Hawaiʻi's natural beauty, including its beaches, mountains and warm weather, made it a favorite. Hawaiʻi's outdoor activities like hiking and scenic views also contributed to its high ranking. Hawaiʻi's unique culture, history and island life set it apart from other states, which, according to the report, added to its appeal. Colorado came second, winning 65% of its matchups, known for outdoor activities and its recreational marijuana industry. Hawaiʻi ranked ahead of states like Florida, Nevada and Arizona, which also performed well. Americans favored Hawaiʻi over many other states because of its special atmosphere, history and beauty. You can click to read more from the report. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 This survey shows that while other states like Colorado and Virginia did well, Hawaiʻi's unmatched natural environment and lifestyle made it the top choice for Americans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
10 things you shouldn't do while visiting Hawaiʻi
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Visiting Hawaiʻi is a dream for many people. It's one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with warm beaches, clear waters and a culture rooted in deep traditions. But Hawaiʻi is also home to more than a million people, including many Native Hawaiians. It's not just a vacation spot. It's a living place with sacred spaces, fragile ecosystems and a history that deserves respect. List of Hawaiian words every tourist needs to know Being a thoughtful visitor means learning what not to do just as much as knowing what to do. Some mistakes can be dangerous. Others can offend the people who live here. And some are just the kind of careless behavior that gives tourists a bad name. Here are the top 10 things you should not do when visiting Hawaiʻi. The ocean in Hawaiʻi is not a swimming pool. Even if the water looks calm, waves can change fast. People drown every year in waters they thought were safe. Always read the signs posted near the beach. Listen to lifeguards. Stay out of areas where there are strong currents or high surf warnings. If there are no lifeguards, be extra cautious. Never turn your back to the ocean. Monk seals and honu (sea turtles) may look peaceful, but they are protected. Getting too close is not only dangerous; it's also not recommended. It is recommended say you stay at least 50 feet away from monk seals and 10 feet away from sea turtles. If there's a monk seal pup with its mother, the safe distance is 150 feet. Watch with care but keep your distance, be respectful and enjoy your experience. Hawaiʻi banned the sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2021. These chemicals damage coral and harm marine life. Instead, use reef-safe sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Look for labels before you buy. Protecting your skin should not come at the cost of the ocean's hikes in Hawaiʻi may look fun on social media, but that doesn't mean they're safe or allowed. Trails like the Haʻikū Stairs, sometimes called the Stairway to Heaven, are illegal and in the process of being demolished. People still try to go, and locals are tired of tourists walking through private property in the middle of the night. It's not just rude. It's dangerous. If you get hurt or lost, rescue teams have to come find you. Choose legal hikes. Start early. Stay on marked paths. Respect the rules and the people who live nearby. You might want to stop for a photo or take a break during a long drive. That doesn't mean you can park in unsafe or illegal spots. On Maui, for example, tourists often block traffic on the Road to Hāna. This makes life hard for residents who need to get to work, pick up kids or respond to emergencies. Use official parking areas. Pull over only when it's safe and legal. Don't treat the road like a photo shoot. It might seem harmless to pick up a small rock or piece of lava as a keepsake. In Hawaiʻi, though, that's considered bad luck and bad manners. The islands are made from volcanic rock, and many places are sacred to Native Hawaiians. Taking rocks or sand disrupts nature and disrespects the ʻāina (land). It's also illegal in some areas. Every year, parks receive boxes of rocks mailed back by tourists who say they brought bad luck. Leave the islands as you found them. You can click about how to avoid Coral reefs are alive. When you stand on them, you're crushing the life that lives there. Even touching coral can damage it, because the oils on your skin harm its surface. Many coral reefs in Hawaiʻi are already struggling from climate change and pollution. Don't make it worse. Choose beaches with sandy bottoms if you want to wade or snorkel. Wear reef-safe sunscreen. Keep your feet off the reef. Movies might show people roasting marshmallows by a beach fire, but in Hawaiʻi, that's usually against the law. Bonfires are banned on most state and county beaches. The rules help prevent wildfires and protect local wildlife. If you want a cookout, use a legal grill or fire pit in a designated area. Check the rules before lighting anything. Waikīkī has hotels, restaurants and shopping; but it's only one part of Oʻahu. If you never leave the tourist zone, you miss out on the real Hawaiʻi. Take time to explore the island. Visit the North Shore. Try the in the United States in Wahiawā. Drive out to Waiʻanae or explore the beauty of Oʻahu's Leeward side. Every island has its own flavor. Don't let the view from your hotel room be the only thing you see. This one matters most. When you visit Hawaiʻi, you enter a place with its own identity, its own culture and its own history. People live here. They raise families, go to work and carry the stories of their ancestors. Making fun of hula, mocking the language or ignoring cultural signs isn't just rude. It shows that you don't care. That attitude hurts people. It makes visitors unwelcome. Respect begins with small things. Learn to say aloha and mahalo. Listen more than you speak. Don't assume you know better. Appreciate what is shared with you. You can click to access more information on Hawaiʻi's native language, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi is a special place. The beaches, the mountains, the culture and the people all make it unlike anywhere else. But it's not a theme park. Being a good guest means caring for the ʻāina, following the rules and showing respect. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to pay attention. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Small choices can make a big difference. Take care. Be kind and leave Hawaiʻi better than you found it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaiian taro takes root in Oregon
In the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation story, the goddess Ho'ohōkūkalani gives birth to a stillborn son, who is buried in the fertile soil. In her grief, she waters the soil with her tears, and a sprout emerges, becoming the first kalo plant. This plant nourishes her second-born son, Hāloa, the first Native Hawaiian. For Native Hawaiians, kalo, also known as taro—a tropical plant prized for its starchy, nutritious, rootlike corm as well as its leaves—is not just a traditional food source but an ancestor, symbolizing a lasting and reciprocal connection to land. As a staple crop, kalo has sustained Pacific Islander cultures for generations. Now kalo has sprouted thousands of miles from its ancestral home in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area, where a growing Native Hawaiian population resides. The land for the garden—or māla, in Hawaiian—started with just 6 square feet but has expanded exponentially, with multiple locations. What these gardens produce is more than just food and a bond with Indigenous culture; it is a thriving community, the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Civil Eats report. "We give a safe space for our Hawaiian families," said Leialoha Ka'ula, one of the garden project's founders, describing its greater purpose. "It [is] also food sovereignty, that relationship to ʻāina, or land. It's a place of healing." Ka'ula, like many Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), left the islands due to the high cost of living there, combined with low wages and lack of jobs and housing. It's part of a pattern that followed the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and declaration of statehood by the U.S. in 1959. Then as now, emigration is fueled by unaffordable living costs, low-wage jobs, and a housing crisis driven by tourism, luxury development, and an influx of mainlanders. In 2020, the U.S. Census reported that, for the first time, more Native Hawaiians live in the continental U.S. than they do in Hawaiʻi, with Oregon having nearly 40,000 NHPI residents. Many in the diaspora long for stronger ties to their home and cultural identity. According to Kaʻula and others, the relationship with kalo is binding, and without it, Native Hawaiians lose vital connections to their culture and mana, a Hawaiian term for spiritual and healing power. But growing kalo is not as easy as just planting it in the ground. Cultivation took years of effort and help from multiple hands. Born on Oʻahu and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, Kaʻula was steeped in Hawaiian culture through her family. Her grandmother introduced her to the Hawaiian language when she was little. Wanting to continue those studies, she attended a Hawaiian immersion charter school, where she also learned cultural practices like hula, chanting, and the traditional farming methods of her ancestors, including how to grow kalo. Kaʻula came to the Pacific Northwest in the early 2000s to study psychology at Washington State University and eventually settled in Beaverton, Oregon. From her first days in Washington, Kaʻula dreamed of growing kalo there, but accessing land was a challenge. Meanwhile, she started a hula academy in Beaverton to help carry on the traditions of her elders. She also helped found Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona Hawaiian Civic Club (KALO HCC), one of several such clubs across Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S. promoting Native Hawaiian culture, advocacy, and community welfare after the dissolution of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Kaʻula envisioned growing kalo through the Civic Club as a part of a new youth program, but it wasn't until she met Donna Ching, an elder at the hula academy, that plans began to take shape. Ching, also Native Hawaiian, served on the board of the Oregon Food Bank (OFB), which has gardens where immigrant communities can grow culturally important foods. Ching helped secure a modest plot for the youth program in the Eastside Learning Garden, in Portland—and the kalo project was born. The next step was to ensure a blessing for the māla. KALO HCC invited Portland-area Indigenous community organizations like the Portland All Nations Canoe Family and Confluence Project to request permission to grow native Hawaiian plants on local land. The ceremony and the planting took place in August of 2021. After chanting and prayers, NHPI youth from the club tossed in handfuls of rich, black soil and planted dozens of baby kalo, already sporting several tender, heart-shaped leaves. The elders in the community watered the bed. Especially for those who had left the island many decades earlier, it was monumental to see kalo being planted in Oregon. In the first season, KALO HCC harvested 25 pounds of kalo leaves, called lau, which are used for food, medicinal purposes, and ceremonies. For her role in procuring the land, Ching was given the first harvest to make lau lau—a traditional Hawaiian dish of fatty pork or butterfish along with vegetables, all wrapped in kalo leaves and steamed. The kalo leaf softens in the process, adding an earthy flavor. The leaves are also an ingredient in other dishes like squid lūʻau. The roots, technically called corms, were left to keep growing beneath the soil; they are used to make poi, a nutritious mash that has been a dietary staple for centuries. "I haven't made lau lau since I left home, because [lau is] really hard to find here," Ching said. "When you think about how more of us now live on the big continent than in Hawaiʻi, if we move and we don't take some of that 'ike—that knowledge—with us, or find a way to grow [it], we're going to lose it." Due to the garden's success, Oregon Food Bank allotted an additional 75-square-foot space to plant the following year. KALO HCC harvested 500 pounds of leaves, most of which were distributed to community members for free. They were also able to hire one paid staff member to help take care of the māla, thanks to a partnership with Pacific Climate Warriors, an international youth-led grassroots network led by Pacific Islanders to address climate change. Now the garden produces other crops, too, including carrots, mānoa lettuce (a variety developed in Hawaiʻi), bok choy, and kale, all of which are eventually given to community members. The garden holds weekly work parties, and some 160 volunteers from diverse backgrounds help out over the course of the year, raking mulch, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting. One volunteer drives monthly from her home in Olympia, Washington, nearly two hours away. "It's worth every mile," said Nicole Lee Kamakahiolani Ellison, who also serves on the board of KALO HCC. Ellison left the islands when she was 8 and grew up in Las Vegas. She is a project manager with IREACH at Washington State University, a research institute that promotes health and healthcare equity within Indigenous and rural populations. Ellison got involved with the garden a year ago while working on a project with Ka'ula about Native heart health. She said she didn't believe kalo could be grown in Oregon's climate. "You go down [to the garden] and you're not in Portland anymore," Ellison said. "It's like you're somehow transported back home on some weird magic carpet ride." She added that a bonus of volunteering is connecting with the kūpuna (elders) who also volunteer, as well as hearing the sound of pidgin, Hawai'i Creole. On the islands, kalo, a canoe crop—one of the plants carried to Hawai'i by the first Polynesian voyagers—is grown in both dryland (or upland) and wetland environments, the legacy of sophisticated traditional irrigation systems that ran from the mountains to the sea in land divisions called ahupua'a. (Those traditional systems for kalo, once central to Hawaiʻi's agriculture, were displaced by private land ownership, the sugar industry, and the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.) Wetland taro is routinely flooded; dryland kalo doesn't require that, but needs regular rain and humidity. Optimal temperatures for kalo are in the 70 F to 90 F range. Planting in the Portland dryland garden typically starts in the spring, with the kalo leaves and corm maturing in about nine months. The garden uses primarily an Asian strain of kalo, but also includes descendants of cuttings from Oʻahu, Mauʻi, and Hawai'i Island. The kalo in the Oregon dryland garden is adapting well to its new location and growing strong. Kaʻula said the club members have learned they can grow garlic to keep the soil warm, which accelerates the kalo's growth in the spring. They also leave the kalo corm, the starchy root of the plant, in the ground during the winter, where it multiplies. One root can quickly turn into 10, she said. For now, the group is electing not to harvest the corms so that they continue to grow. This winter, they put a dome over the kalo plants to see if they would last through the freeze—which they did. Now the KALO HCC can have kalo year-round, just like in Hawaii. The success of the māla comes at a time when it may be needed most. Recent data shows that nearly 60 percent of the NHPI in Oregon lives below the poverty line. The food bank has taken hits from the recent federal funding cuts, losing 30 truckloads of food due to the Department of Agriculture's food-delivery cancellations across the U.S., and said they have already seen a 31 percent increase in visits to their locations compared with the previous year. "Our [cultural] diets are healthy, but food is expensive, and when it's expensive, many move away from that diet to something more affordable—and a lot of that affordable food is not healthy for us," Ching said. In October 2023, KALO HCC published an academic paper about their Portland kalo project, describing how establishing the māla in the continental U.S. connected people to the land, improved their mental health, and created a sense of place for Native Hawaiian community members. The paper also suggests that the garden, through cultural foods and practices, might improve health outcomes overall. "Culture is health, is what we're trying to argue," Kaʻula said. "Sometimes people say that traditional healthcare aligns with the Western models, but we're trying to say no, we want indigenous healthcare. Can we get the FDA to approve poi as medical support? Can we get the FDA to approve kalo as a supplement, and how can we ensure better access to all of that?" KALO HCC is currently conducting another study, this time through clinical trials, in hopes of finding the connection between traditional foods, physical health, and emotional well-being. For this study, they are working with Oregon Food Bank and Oregon's Pacific University to collect and analyze data. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. have some of the highest rates of heart disease, hypertension, asthma, cancer, obesity, and diabetes in comparison with all other ethnicities. Research ties these poor health outcomes to colonization and historic inequities, multigenerational trauma, and discrimination, as well as poverty, lack of housing, education, and environment. "[From] what we see in other Native communities, their views of food and how it relates to health is huge," said Sheri Daniels, the CEO of Papa Ola Lōkahi, a Native Hawaiian health organization that advocates for the well-being of Native Hawaiians through policy, research, and community initiatives. Daniels said that providing data can be challenging, but offering resources and opportunities for people to improve self-esteem and strengthen cultural identity are always possible, and can yield insights, too. "The cool thing about kalo is that you get to build community, you get to meet and see others who might be in the same [emotional] space as you, trying to establish that bond of what it means to be Hawaiian," she added. As of this March, new kalo plants had already started sprouting through the soil. They will triple in size in a month, providing more nourishment to the local community in the upcoming year. KALO HCC has also created additional māla at Pacific University, where 25 percent of the student body is Native Hawaiian, and at schools in Tacoma, Washington, and within the Beaverton School District. "Everything that our lāhui (community), our aliʻi (royalty), and our kūpuna (elders) did was never about one person," Kaʻula said. "It was about, how does it trickle down? How does it create a unified community?" Co-published by Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Civil Eats. This story was produced by Economic Hardship Reporting Project and Civil Eats, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
