KS cultivates land stewardship collaborations at conservation conference

Keynote speaker Pua Kanahele – president of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation – catches up with KS Director of Natural and Cultural Resources Ulalia Woodside, who was recently named 2016 chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance. Photo by Franz Schumutzer, UH Hilo Stories

Aug. 20, 2015

Contributed by Mae Nishimura

What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Although this may be a difficult question for many, it was one of the thought-provoking topics discussed at the 23rd annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. The recent conference brought together over 1,100 land stewardship professionals and is the largest event of its kind in Hawaiʻi.

The Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance hosted the four-day conference held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. It’s usually held on Oʻahu but took place in Hilo this year since many of the conservation lands and projects are located on Hawaiʻi island. KS was among the event sponsors and is also a member of the alliance.

“Kamehameha Schools is honored to be a sponsor again this year. It’s truly an amazing experience to partner and participate, because this is where new ideas are formed which benefits the sustainability of our ecosystem,” said KS Natural Resources Manager (NRM) Mililani Browning.

This year’s conference theme, “Hanohano Hawai‘i Kuauli: Celebrating Collaboration and Wisdom Across Hawaiʻi’s Ecosystems,” brought attendees together to partner, collaborate and discuss the importance of ʻāina stewardship including the protection of endangered native species.

“For the past few years attendance among community resource managers and Hawaiian emerging professional land stewards has increased,” said KS Natural and Cultural Resources Director Ulalia Woodside. Woodside is also serving as the 2016 Chair for the Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance.

“It’s extremely fulfilling to be an advocate for including these perspectives and voices in the presentation and discussion of ʻāina conservation goals. Developing the next generation of resources managers and developing the capacity of community stewardship are important goals of the Kamehameha Schools Natural Resources Management Plan.”

Conference speakers included State Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case, Kohala Center CEO Kamana Beamer, and Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation President Pua Kanahele.

The conference also included a community day which gave businesses and organizations the opportunity to share valuable conservation information and engage with conference participants, as well as those in the community.

The KS Communications and NRM teams were on site handing out flyers, sharing information from their display board, signing up people to receive direct mail and handing out native bird greeting cards.

To learn more about the Mālama ʻĀina program and KS’ resource management efforts, visit www.ksbe.edu/land.

About KS Natural and Cultural Resource Management

The Natural and Cultural Resources Management team supports the efforts of various Kamehameha Schools groups, and works with cultural, environmental and community organizations and individuals to identify, protect and preserve the natural and cultural landscapes of Kamehameha Schools lands.

To learn more about the Mālama ʻĀina program and KS’ resource management efforts, visit www.ksbe.edu/land.

The Nature Conservancy's Sam ʻOhu Gon helps KS Natural Resources Manager Mili Browning prepare a hoʻokupu during a welcome gathering hosted by KS.