I Ulu I Ka Aina: Land

From the Dean

vii From the Dean Welina Mai Kākou! Mahalo for picking up the second volume in The Hawai‘inuiākea Series, which publishes high-quality research and inquiry, and kūpuna reflections and artistic expressions. This series, hosted by Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, aims to advance Kanaka Maoli perspective, ‘ike that seamlessly integrates knowledge and discoveries at the intersection of socio-political, cultural-historical, economic and ecological science, and indigenous knowing. The monograph’s scope is truly transdisciplinary as it seeks to speak to new ideas within the context of ancient knowledge and contemporary conundrums; to engage the diversity of our Kanaka scholars from the social science to the humanities to ecology to art to health and well-being to law to language and linguistics and so on; and to connect methodologies and practices that are innovative and that ensure clear practices and policies for the betterment of our lāhui. Indeed, a key kuleana for Hawai‘inuiākea is to generate and disseminate knowledge in a manner that informs and inspires, that connects our many communities to the work of the collegiate community, and that restores and is respectful of our indigenous knowledge. Our first volume, I Ulu I Ke Kumu (Flourishing from the Source, November 2011), edited by Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier , presented varied perspectives on the theme of kumu in its many forms. In this, our second volume, edited by Dr. Jonathan Osorio, we take a critically important view of the complexities and nuance of all that feeds us, our ‘āina. This volume encompasses and expands upon conversations we have had about our ‘āina, the ways in which we elevate the ‘āina in our discussions, and the process of making decisions that impact our ‘āina. I hope that the mana‘o that fills these pages—the aloha shared by each of the authors—will help make teaching, learning, and leading accessible, gratifying, and above all possible for all Kanaka Maoli! Na‘u me ka ha‘aha‘a! Dr. Maenette K.P. Ah Nee-Benham, Dean Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa ...