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Native Hawaiians speak on climate action in Zoom session

LIHU‘E — Many on Kaua‘i understand that there is a climate crisis, but often feel hopeless or aren’t sure what they can do.

To both educate and provide some much-needed optimism, Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition, Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i and Zero Waste Kaua‘i will host a Zoom forum today from 6 to 7 p.m., focusing on Indigenous perspectives and how all can be part of the solution.

Titled Kilo Honua: Hawaiian Earth Observers taking Action for ‘Aina, the forum features Malia Ha‘aheo Akutagawa, a Moloka‘i native and a Native Hawaiian rights and environmental law attorney and associate professor of law and Hawaiian studies at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

She has been working with students on Moloka‘i to identify challenges and impacts of the climate crisis from the uplands to the ocean, and to create solutions.

Malia Nobrega-Olivera is a Native Hawaiian educator, kumu hula, salt-maker, event strategist and an advocate of Indigenous rights at all levels — locally, regionally and internationally. She is a community-engagement specialist for the Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at UH-Manoa. She will speak about her own experience as a salt-maker within the context of kilo and traditional Indigenous practices.

For both women, the act of kilo, or careful observation of one’s place, is a starting point for action.

Following the presentation there will be a question-and-answer period and open discussion. Attendees should attain a good understanding of kilo and how Hawaiians are using it to address climate challenges and create resiliency, and be shown ways to get involved.

Register at https://bit.ly/earthobservers. The event can also be viewed live on the Zero Waste Facebook page.
Source: The Garden Island

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