Towards Living Mālama ‘Āina: Acting Upon Kuleana Through ‘Ohana, Education, and Wellbeing

Abstract

What do you see when you put on your mālama ʻāina lens? I see that we are survivors. I feel loved and nourished. I see that our culture is awesome! I see a thriving and resilient people interdependent on one another and our ʻāina. This presentation will focus on a critical practice needed throughout today's education system and within our everyday lives: Mālama ʻĀina--to care for, to protect, and to ensure the continuity of all that feeds and sustains us. I will share my journey through education and how looking through a mālama ʻāina lens has the power to transform our communities, our treasured places, and the future of our people through aloha.