Hawaiian Science Ike o ka poe imi loa

Hawaiian Science ‘Ike o ka po‘e ‘imi loa Knowledge of a far-seeking people

Chant for knowledge E ‘io e, e kū, e manu e O ‘Io, o hawk, stop, o bird Ke alu aku nei ka pule iā Hakalau Combining the prayers toward Hakalau Kulia ka lani iā Uli, iā namu, iā naue The chief strives toward Uli, toward mumbling, trembling Ka nehe i luna, ka nehe i lalo Rustling above, rustling below Ka‘a ‘ākau, ka‘a hema Rolling northward, rolling south

Chant for knowledge Kū makani, ha‘i ka lani The wind rises, the heavens break Hekili ka‘a i ka lani Thunder rolling in the heavens Ka uila nui mākēhā i ka lani Great lightning flashing in the heavens Pane i ka lani, e ola ke kanaka Reply to the chief, to bring life to the people Hō mai ka loea, ka ‘ike, ka mana Confer skill, knowledge, spiritual power

Chant for knowledge I a‘e ka honua la That the world continue ‘O waha lau ali‘i The many chiefly mouths ‘O kahi i waiho ai ka hua‘ōlelo The place where the word is presented ‘Eli‘eli kau mai Great awe settles in ‘Āmama, ua noa Completed, kapu is lifted

Two world training

Recent conflicts between “Science” & Hawaiian Culture Astronomyison Kea “Science” not. Mauna Hawaiian GMO research kalo (taro) n “Book science” on useless when dealing with regulations Hawaiian issues n Fishing n

We recognize that “science” is a process that is not restricted to Western Civilization, and that ‘Ike Hawai‘i (traditional knowledge) can provide great value to modern endeavors.

What is “Science? ” An approach to learning marked by: n Observation / Empiricism n Manipulation / Experimentation n Prediction / Modeling n Testing / Replication / “Proof” n Transmission / Publication n

Empirical observation

Pua ka wili, nanahu ka manō The wili blooms, the shark bites Pua wili Lālani Kalalea

Pua ke kō, ku mai ka he‘e The sugarcane are blooming, the octopus are appearing Pua kō He‘e

Pala ka hala, momona ka wana The hala fruit are ripening, the sea urchins are fat Hua hala pala Hā‘uke

Lono Your manifestations, O Lono, are in the heavens: The long cloud, the short cloud, the emerging cloud, The peering cloud, cloud unfurling in the heavens

‘Owāli‘i makali‘i kino o Lonoikamakahiki

Experimentation / Modeling / Prediction n n Loko i‘a (fishponds), lo‘i (terraced agriculture), ‘auwai (irrigation channels) Hand pollination

Testing / Transmission n He lohe pepeiao, he ‘ike maka ho‘i A piece of hearsay [or] seen personally n ‘O ka mea kūpono, pa‘a, ‘o ka mea hewa, kāpae a‘e The correct: retain, the flawed: set aside n Selective oral transmission We pass on what we accept as true

Pala ka hala, momona ka wana The hala fruit are ripening, the sea urchins are fat Hua hala pala Hā‘uke

Contrasting World Views n n n There are some implied assumptions about Hawaiian vs. Western approaches, especially with regard to world view. Some of these are oversimplified here, but serve to highlight contrasts Let’s explore some examples from the restoration efforts on Kaho‘olawe

Western view of land & restoration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Land is viewed as a commodity, which one manipulates toward "best use. " Biological elements are often manipulated dramatically from “wild” toward humanfriendly domesticated forms. People as hired labor to realize scope of work. Plants and animals are objects to be reintroduced to the island. Biological elements are separate from cultural (man-made) elements on the landscape.

Hawaiian view of land & restoration 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Land as conscious entity, reacting to humans in a reciprocal relationship. Ecosystems modified and often semi-wild, key ecological processes intact. People connected spiritually with place, contributing to and benefiting from the place. Plants and animals as conscious individuals and requiring individual attention to thrive. Plants and animals as sacred kinolau of kini akua and part of the cultural landscape.

Hawaiian world view example n n The Hawaiian owl, pueo, is indigenous to Kaho‘olawe, where it feeds largely on non-native rodents. Pueo is, for many Hawaiian families, one of the kinolau of ‘aumakua, to be treated with utmost respect as a revered ancestral form.

Natural vs Cultural Resources n The idea that natural resources are also cultural resources means that cultural restoration is not merely devoted to identification & stabilization of artifacts such as rock shrines & petroglyphs but that the living context of the island is valued as part of the foundation & context for cultural stewardship & enrichment.

Objectivity Western science viewed as “coldly objective” n Hawaiian approach embraces feeling n Key contrast point between the two n Intuition & passion important to both n Dispassionate western science created immoral developments n To the wise, “what feels right” is right n

Validation of “Gut Feelings” The enteric nervous system contains billions of neurons, distributed diffusely along the digestive system, and provides the majority of the moodaltering chemical serotonin. There is a complex feedback system between the enteric nervous system and the CNS. Gershon 2008

Reconciliation of Western and Hawaiian approaches n Recognition of ecological zones n Manipulative experimentation n Transplantation of species n Expert consultation n Concern for the future of resources n Imposing and lifting of restrictions n Importance of pest control

Hawaiian traditional skills for dryland planting n Attention to weather & seasonal climate n Management of semi-wild ecosystems n Well developed agricultural protocols propagation via seeds, cuttings, etc. hand-pollination, cultivars n Specialized techniques for drylands kuaiwi rock mulching conventional mulching/fertilizing irrigation soil & moisture retention via terracing

Hawaiian techniques for coordinating cooperative effort n Dispute resolution (ho‘opono) n Protocol for unification & joint effort n Work viewed as composed of both physical and spiritual aspects n Moral conduct important during work and vital for success

Value of ‘Ike Hawai‘i n Haka ‘ūa‘u i ka hale uluhe o Lauhaka The Hawaiian petrels nest in the fern house of Lauhaka

Value of ‘Ike Hawai‘i n Aia ke ana ko‘i i Kaluako‘i At Kaluako‘i is an adze quarry

Value of ‘Ike Hawai‘i n Aia ke ana ko‘i i Kaluako‘i At Kaluako‘i is an adze quarry

The arrangment of ahupua‘a on the island of O‘ahu demonstrates amazing optimization of access to ecosystem resources.