Voices of Papahānaumokuākea

Over the past few decades, Native Hawaiians have reawakened ancestral memories of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Today, they are known as the Kūpuna Islands, which means ancestral or elder islands. The “Voices of Papahānaumokuākea” is a documentary film that shares the perspectives of eight Native Hawaiians involved in establishing and maintaining protections for Papahānaumokuākea. These storytellers express indigenous Hawaiian values and philosophies deeply embedded in native worldview and the relationships between people and place.

Through the tradition of story-telling, these voices of Papahānaumokuākea share and promote cultural integration in the management of marine protected areas. These oral histories are a resource for other indigenous peoples and managers around the world who are working towards integrated management frameworks and provide insights into the challenges and achievements endured over time. These Native Hawaiian community leaders convey the cultural significance of the region which upholds Hawaiian values and aspirations that continue to be the foundation for effective advocacy and protection of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Watch Voices of Papahānaumokuākea