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Urban ʻĀina: An Indigenous, Biocultural Pathway to Transforming Urban Spaces

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  • ʻĀina of Kaʻōnohi

    (ʻĀina of Kaʻōnohi, Aiea, HI 96701, USA)

  • Anthony K. Deluze

    (Hoʻōla Hou iā Kalauao, Aiea, HI 96701, USA)

  • Kamuela Enos

    (Office of Indigenous Innovation, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA)

  • Kialoa Mossman

    (Group 70 International, Inc., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Indrajit Gunasekera

    (Office of Enrollment Services, University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA)

  • Danielle Espiritu

    (Hoʻōla Hou iā Kalauao, Aiea, HI 96701, USA)

  • Chelsey Jay

    (Mālama Learning Center, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA)

  • Puni Jackson

    (Kōkua Kalihi Valley, Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA)

  • Sean Connelly

    (Hawaiʻi Nonlinear, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA)

  • Maya H. Han

    (Kōkua Kalihi Valley, Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA)

  • Christian P. Giardina

    (Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Hilo, HI 96720, USA)

  • Heather McMillen

    (Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Manu Aluli Meyer

    (Chancellor’s Office, University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA)

Abstract

What does contemporary Indigenous stewardship look like in urban spaces? We answer this question by exploring Urban ʻĀina, a practice-based Native Hawaiian paradigm that shapes how we engage urban landscapes as Indigenous spaces, revitalizes the expression of Indigenous knowledge, and relies on Indigenous sensibilities to address and respond to modern issues such as food security, ecological degradation, and the climate change crisis. We find that places shaped by Urban ʻĀina practices serve as cultural kīpuka—biocultural refugia where kincentric, reciprocal relationships are honored through the engagement of ancestral knowledge. In Hawaiʻi, efforts to maintain these kincentric relationships continue to be challenged by political, socioeconomic, environmental, psychological, and spiritual disruptions that have their origin in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Our research methodology and the paper’s resulting structure rely on ceremony and the Pewa Framework, which were selected to transport you through our restoration process. This exploration and the sharing of innovative case studies from urban Oʻahu bring breath and the healing power of Indigenous knowledge and ancestral practices to urban spaces, with the aim of transforming contemporary conceptions of urban stewardship. Through our process, we demonstrate how revitalized ancestral practices foster ecological sustainability, restorative justice, biocultural continuity, food sovereignty, regenerative forestry, and community wellbeing in urban spaces.

Suggested Citation

  • ʻĀina of Kaʻōnohi & Anthony K. Deluze & Kamuela Enos & Kialoa Mossman & Indrajit Gunasekera & Danielle Espiritu & Chelsey Jay & Puni Jackson & Sean Connelly & Maya H. Han & Christian P. Giardina & Hea, 2023. "Urban ʻĀina: An Indigenous, Biocultural Pathway to Transforming Urban Spaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-36, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:9937-:d:1176588
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Melissa Nursey-Bray & Meg Parsons & Ariane Gienger, 2022. "Urban nullius ? Urban Indigenous People and Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Cohen, Barney, 2006. "Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 63-80.
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