Re-imagining contemporary conservation to support ‘Āina Momona: Productive and thriving communities of people, place, and natural resources

The integration of multiple knowledge systems is being used more frequently to inform research and management. However, the end goal of management is sometimes limited to the narratives and values of the status quo of Western fisheries management and in many cases is disconnected from the holistic goals and objectives that other Indigenous cultures strive to achieve. Indigenous cultures are based on an intimate understanding of the driving factors of health and productivity of the natural environment. Rather than thinking about preserving resources as they are through Western approaches to designing and implementing marine protected areas, Indigenous communities have the power to drive biocultural research and monitoring towards addressing aspects of the environment that drive production and support and enhance productivity. Na Maka Onaona (Na Maka), an ‘ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) non-profit organization, has been on a 14-year journey of reimagining contemporary research to support ‘Āina Momona: thriving and productive communities of people, place, and natural resources. Na Maka provides culturally grounded programs and partnerships to support the health of our Hawaiian Islands. Our story takes us to the dynamic rocky intertidal fishery of Hawai‘i, an endless slew of lessons learned, and a nascent management plan that weave the narratives and values of the status quo within the fundamental vision of ‘Āina Momona.