Cultural Resources

Keeping History Above Water (KHAW): Pacific Workshop

The 2024 Keeping History Above Water (KHAW): Pacific Workshop was hosted by the United States Department of Defense and the Newport Restoration Foundation on June 13, 2024 in Honolulu, HI. The meeting served as a venue for cultural and natural resource practitioners, military personnel, scientists, state and local leaders, and others to discuss community-driven solutions for preserving Pacific Islands physical and intangible cultural heritage in the face of coastal inundation.

Oli, Welcome, and Opening Plenary

Video: Oli, Welcome, and Opening Plenary

Oli Facilitators
Kahu Bruce Keaulani and Aunty Kehau | Living Life Source Foundation

• Kahu Bruce and Aunty Kehau commence the Workshop by facilitating an oli.

Welcome
Margaret Back | Preservation Projects Manager, Newport Restoration Foundation

• Ms. Margaret Back welcomes the Workshop, describes Keeping History Above Water’s mission, and shares a few housekeeping notes.

Presenter
Honorable Kitlang Kabua | Senator, Kwajalein Atoll Nitijela (Parliament), Republic of the Marshall Islands

• Honorable Kitlang Kabua begins the Workshop by describing the importance of cultural heritage protection in the face of climate change and coastal inundation, highlighting her experiences from the Marshall Islands. She discusses the importance of cultural resources to Pacific Islanders; the importance of collaborative science and resilience planning; and holistic approaches to community engagement.

Session Presentations: On-the-Ground Work – Citizen Climate Literacy And Communication in the Pacific

Video: Session Presentations: On-the-Ground Work – Citizen Climate Literacy And Communication in the Pacific

Moderator
Jessica Puff | Architecture Branch Chief, Hawai‘i State Historic Preservation Division

Presenters
Shubhra K. Misra | Deputy Director – Climate Change Adaptation and Planning, Office of the Secretary of Defense

• Dr. Misra presents on climate literacy and climate change adaptation and planning in the US Department of Defense. He also describes ongoing and planned DoD initiatives for climate resilience for Pacific Islands.

Kevin K. J. Chang | Executive Director, Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA)

• Mr. Chang shares the story of Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA), a community-based network backbone organization, and how integrated community-based natural and cultural resources restoration and protection is central to developing resilient solutions to sea level rise. He discusses how resilient communities and greater collaboration and local governance can help us empower communities to shape their response to an uncertain future.

Solynn Bajo | Archivist, Alele Museum, Public Library and National Archive, Marshall Islands

• Ms. Bajo speaks on the challenges, solutions, and initiatives for the Alele Museum & National Archives in the face of climate change and coastal inundation.

Jonathan Kanekoa Kukea Shultz | Executive Director, Kāko‘o ‘Oiwi

• Mr. Shultz presents on Kāko‘o ‘Oiwi’s role as a Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration partner and the successes of supporting Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i land stewardship activities such as forest and fishpond restoration, expanding lo‘i kalo wetland agriculture, and improving riparian habitat.

Panel on Intersection of Climate and Culture

Video: Panel on Intersection of Climate and Culture

Moderator
Sam ‘Ohu Gon III | Senior Scientist & Cultural Advisor, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i

Panelists
Stanton Enomoto | Senior Program Director, Department of the Interior, Office of Native Hawaiian Relations

Chip Fletcher | Interim Dean, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Patrick Lujan | State Historic Preservation Officer, Guam

Wayne Chung Tanaka | Director, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i

Lori Kanoelani Walker | Integrated Assets Manager, Land Division, Office of Hawaiian Affairs

• After introducing the panelists, Dr. Gon facilitates discussion amongst the panel surrounding the development of solutions for preserving Pacific Island cultural heritage in the face of coastal inundation. The panelists draw on their diverse knowledge and extensive experience to share their thoughts on the challenges facing their communities and solutions they’ve implemented to date. Afterwards, the audience poses questions to the panelists.

Closing Remarks

Video: Closing Remarks

Presenter
Honorable Brendan Owens | Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment
Department of Defense

• Honorable Owens concludes the Workshop by reflecting on the day’s events. He elaborates on the Department of Defense’s commitment to sustaining positive relationships with Pacific Islanders and residents; the importance of considering cultural heritage when developing climate adaptation strategies; and a commitment to continue the conversation of the Workshop.