Indigenous Drought Perspective

Drought in the Islands

Hawai’i’s isolated and unique geography makes the Islands especially vulnerable to drought, with each island experiencing drought differently. In recent decades, droughts in Hawai’i have contributed to growing hydrological, agricultural, ecological, and socio-economic challenges. While the full picture of drought and its interaction with other environmental stressors is still emerging, the traditional knowledge and lived experiences of Hawai’i’s Indigenous and local communities offer invaluable insight.

The Importance of Indigenous Knowledge

Understanding how Kānaka Maoli responded to periods of drought is essential to bettering our approach to preparing for dry periods on the Islands. Furthermore, contemporary Native Hawaiian efforts continuously aim to inform residents of indicators and environmental phenomena experienced during drought (Frazier et al. In Review). Considering how these communities navigate drought will shape the resilience of the communities and natural resources of Hawai’i, as it is our kuleana to mālama ‘āina during an environmental stressor like drought to ensure that the ‘āina can still provide and thrive.

The Indigenous Drought Knowledge Project

Through a state-wide survey, interpersonal interviews, workshop findings, and literature review, a team of climate-scientists assessed drought-related needs in Hawai’i. This interdisciplinary research approach ensured that the voices and knowledge of Native Hawaiians and communities in Hawai’i were taken into consideration. This project emphasizes how the answers to our questions about drought lie within Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), and assesses the different ways these methodologies can be incorporated into drought management on the Islands.

Residents’ Thoughts on ILK

Survey results indicate that respondents identified a need to compile, incorporate and apply more traditional cultural knowledge and Indigenous perspectives to drought management in Hawai’i. These perspectives revolve around knowledge sources which can be more deeply researched and more broadly communicated, shared, and utilized. Some of these approaches include utilizing information about seasonality and weather patterns, understanding the history of place, seeking information passed on from lineal descendants and long-time residents, and considering the lunar calendar.

Additional Research

Further research is being conducted through a preliminary survey of Hawaiian knowledge from information text sources. More specifically, it will include a detailed historical analysis of traditional texts and newspapers, a synthesis of drought information garnered from chants in ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i, and a survey of drought conditions. The work proposed here will provide foundational insights for building strategies to address drought impacts and is targeted towards stakeholders that climate and conservation networks and place based organizations.

This project is affiliated with Pacific Islands CASC and the principal investigators are Christian Giardina (USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry) and Katie Kamelamela (Arizona State University). Other cooperators/partners include Tamara Ticktin (UH Mānoa), Rosie Alegado (UH Mānoa), Noa Lincoln (UH Mānoa), Kalei Nu’uhiwa M.A. (Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests), Abby Frazier (Clark University), Pu’uwa’awa’a Community Based Subsistence Forestry Area, Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana, and Kua’āina Ulu ‘Auamo.