The Importance of Preserving Big Island Hawaii’s Cultural Heritage as Part of Conservation Efforts

Big Island Hawaii is not only a place of natural beauty and wonder, but also a place of cultural richness and diversity. The island has a long and complex history that spans from the ancient Polynesian voyagers who first settled the islands, to the Hawaiian Kingdom that unified and governed them, to the modern state that embraces them. The island also has a vibrant and varied culture that reflects the influences of Native Hawaiian, Asian, European, American, and other peoples who have contributed to its social fabric. The island’s cultural heritage is expressed in its language, arts, music, dance, religion, traditions, values, and practices. However, this cultural heritage is also under threat from various factors, such as globalization, urbanization, assimilation, and commodification. Preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is not only a matter of pride and identity, but also a matter of conservation. Here are some of the reasons why preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is so important for conservation:

• Cultural heritage is part of the island’s biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including its genes, species, and ecosystems. Big Island Hawaii has some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, with many species that are endemic to the islands. However, biodiversity is not only about biological diversity, but also about cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is the variety of human cultures that have evolved in different environments and adapted to different conditions. Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is part of its biodiversity, as it reflects the island’s unique natural features and resources, such as its volcanoes, mountains, forests, oceans, plants, and animals. Preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage helps to preserve its biodiversity, as it maintains the island’s distinctiveness and diversity¹.
• Cultural heritage is a source of knowledge and wisdom. Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is a source of knowledge and wisdom that can help us understand and appreciate the island’s natural environment and its challenges and opportunities. For example, Native Hawaiian culture has a deep connection and respect for nature, based on the concept of aloha ʻāina (love for the land). Native Hawaiians have developed a sophisticated system of land management practices that sustainably use and conserve natural resources, such as the ahupuaʻa (a land division that extends from the mountains to the sea) and the loko iʻa (a fishpond). Native Hawaiians have also accumulated a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about the island’s flora and fauna, such as their names, uses, properties, behaviors, and relationships². Preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage helps to preserve its knowledge and wisdom, as it provides valuable insights and lessons for conservation¹.
• Cultural heritage is a driver of conservation action. Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is a driver of conservation action that can motivate and mobilize people to protect and restore the island’s natural environment. For example, many cultural sites on the island have historical, spiritual, and aesthetic significance for Native Hawaiians and other residents and visitors. These include sites such as Nuʻuanu Pali (the site of a historic battle), Mokumanamana (an island with sacred shrines), ʻIolani Palace (the former royal residence), Pearl Harbor (the site of a historic attack), Waimea Canyon (a scenic natural wonder), and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (a World Heritage Site). These sites inspire people to learn about and appreciate the island’s natural and cultural heritage and to take action to preserve and enhance them³. Preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage helps to drive conservation action, as it creates a sense of stewardship and responsibility for conservation¹.

Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage is a precious gift that we have inherited from our ancestors and that we have a duty to pass on to our descendants. It is an integral part of the island’s natural environment and its conservation value. By preserving Big Island Hawaii’s cultural heritage, we can ensure its continuity and vitality for present and future generations.

Source:
(1) Hawaiian Heritage Sites | Go Hawaii. https://www.gohawaii.com/experiences/history-culture.
(2) About Papahānaumokuākea | Papahānaumokuākea. https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/new-about/.
(3) Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center among 8 nonprofits to receive … – Big Island Now. https://bigislandnow.com/2022/10/12/hawai%ca%bbi-wildlife-center-among-8-nonprofits-to-receive-environmental-grants-from-hawaiian-electric/.
(4) Information on Hawaii’s History, Culture & Heritage – Hawaii Guide. https://www.hawaii-guide.com/content/posts/hawaii_culture_and_hawaii_heritage.
(5) National and State Parks – Love Big Island. https://www.lovebigisland.com/state-national-parks/.