ʻIole: Finding indigenous solutions to sustainability

Attorney Todd Apo, CEO of ‘Iole, joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss a brand-new nonprofit research center and scientific laboratory that will gather academic experts, Native Hawaiian practitioners, and community, student, and government leaders to develop sustainability solutions rooted in ancestral knowledge and indigenous practices, with a focus on food and energy security.

Q. Tell us more about ‘Iole.

Hawaii Community Foundation, University of Hawaii, and Arizona State University have come together to create a Global Resilience Hub based out of 2,400 acres in North Kohala that was donated to HCF. The intent is to develop models that can help the community, island, state and globally with initial pillars focused on Food Security, Energy Security and an educational global resilience hub. Core to this work will be integrating native Hawaiian knowledge and practice with today’s science to create models that can be replicated with any region’s indigenous knowledge.

Q. Can you give us an example of what a model might look like?

We are in the planning stages of a 200-acre project that, simply put, will remove invasive species and replant native plants and forestry. It will include native forest, agroforestry, and silvopasture, as well as educational elements and plants that are often sought for native gathering.

Q. What is silvopasture and how can it help diversity farm income and possible wildfire prevention?

Silvopasture is the practice of integrating trees, forage, and the grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way to produce multiple products on the same acreage. Grazing can serve as a cost-effective vegetation and weed control method which can help prevent wildfires from spreading. Other benefits include naturally improving soil health, increase in biodiversity, and more sustainable land use. All of these help agricultural efforts. But like any solution, it needs to fit the specifics of the location. That’s some of the “experimenting” that we can do at ‘Iole.

Q. How will your ventures be different from many other reforestry projects around the state?

With our university partners, we will look to have both baseline data and real time “evolution” data as the project progresses. This will show us how revitalizing the land affects soil content, water capture and flow, birds, bats, and other wildlife. I think one of the key elements will be around water – not only what happens on these 200 acres, but how it affects downstream flows. That’s the kind of modeling we talk about and the benefit of having 2,400 acres that runs mauka to makai – we have instant access to that system impact.

Q. Many situations has shown us the importance of water – do you have any other examples?

Another project we are working on with a set of Kohala landowners is a regional water system to provide water for agriculture. About 3 years ago, the water flow in the Kohala Ditch stopped due to a landslide in a remote area of Pololu Valley. While the State has allocated funds for its repair, it is likely years away. Regional farmers are having to use (and pay for) county potable water for agriculture. We are working to put a new pipe in the Kohala Ditch and put water into that system. What’s interesting is that climate change has caused it to rain less often, but for those rains to be heavier. So, part of this project is to capture and collect that rainfall to make it available to regional agriculture during dry periods. ut we must also use this project to find ways to put water back into streams and in a more regulated way – so as opposed to flash flood type run off during heavy rains, regular flow that serves a healthier waterway.

Q. What are some of your ideas around energy and food security using indigenous practices?

Hawaiians took care of the ‘aina and managed their resources well. Technology and other advancements have allowed society to become “lazy” with land use and management. Melding indigenous knowledge/practice with today’s science has to opportunity to “get the best of both worlds”. It’s finding a balance that can increase energy and food security while being fully cognizant of the impact on the ‘aina. We are yet to come up with any specific projects in this area – but it is an important goal for us. UH, especially through the work of Kamuela Enos (UH Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation), is helping us shape this work. An example of what might be possible is the work of PVS and Hokule’a. Their continued practice of traditional navigation is combined with awareness and study of what’s happening to our ocean.

Q. How does your work fit with the State’s climate goals?

There are many great organizations working in this area. We are a part of that. We hope to help bring a collective effort around those efforts for greater impact. For example, with all four counties having climate offices, with our partners, how can we bring collective action to avail our State to great federal funds and philanthropic dollars to create greater impact?

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Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your case.