Lessons from a thousand years of island sustainability | Sam ‘Ohu Gon III, PhD | TEDxMaui

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Biologist and cultural practitioner Sam Ohu Gon III reveals the true Hawaii, a place much more than beaches and mai tais. In these islands, there is a message for the world.
Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, world-renowned expert on Hawaiian ecology.
From the Hawaiian Islands and Rapanui to the Amazon rainforest, Dr. Samuel ‘Ohukani‘ōhi‘a Gon has circled the globe in his quest to blend culture and conservation, acre by acre. The senior scientist and cultural advisor of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i has been instrumental in many facets of the Conservancy’s work. Sam strives to blend the richness of unique Hawaiian ecosystems with the equally rich culture that developed here. As a kahuna kākalaleo, practitioner of Hawaiian chant and protocol, he serves as a Kahuna Pule (prayer master) at the heiau (temple) of Puʻu Koholā at Kawaihae, Island of Hawaiʻi with Nā Waʻa Lālani Kāhuna o Puʻu Koholā.
Sam was recently honored as a “Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi” for his rapprochement of conservation biology and Hawaiian cultural practice. With over three decades of experience in Hawaiian ecology, he is a leading expert in biological inventories and research, field ecology, entomology, arachnology, ethology, natural community classification, ecological modeling and biological database management.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@IgorSiberia]

Powerful speech uncle Sam ‘Ohu Gon III

[@ylvalindberg5543]

What a speaker, what a message!

[@iamaloha2]

I also bow down to Sam as a Living Treasure of Hawaii. This presentation qualifies him. He was presented with a special gift from Keola Lake and Sam has honored Keola a thousand time over. Sam is a Aloha Aina.

[@phatgrid9520]

As a Maori I fully understand everything you have to say as our ancestors have shared to us the very same beliefs great talk Aroha nui my brother

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

I am kanaka and looking at years language and stories...we just may be cousins. why the moari have grown as fierce as they are as well as the reason you sailed to aotearoa Idnk but one day i wish to. mahalo nui

[@lealavaamalo4836]

A powerful, inspiring, thought provoking and spiritual presentation. Absolutely correct what he said. Humans are the caretakers of the land. Thanks.

[@donnayoshizumi4354]

Mahalo for helping me understand what is a model of island self sufficient goals, consciousness of the world's modern day commodities that mask our relationship of "aloha aina" and native diversity, our lives and our Hawaiian identity.

[@garvinfreitas8437]

Samuel Gon your such a special inspiration to all of us in Hawaii. We are so fortunate for your commitment courage and knowledge to Hawaii and its makaainana. Mahalo Nui loa!

[@edgardodiaz-cl]

What a inspiring and clear message about Hawaiian ancient culture..concepts we should take and practice around the world to keep and save our only home.

[@melovescoffee]

I don't live in Hawai'i but i try to live by this idea on this small piece of land. Over the 5 years i have now stewarded this piece, i have seen balance come back. Animals use it as a refuge and i see birds here that i rarely see anywhere else. Tailed tit, blackcap chickadee, goldfinch, kingfisher. I can't believe they have come back. My way of growing food there is simple. If i'm doing it right and create habitat, i will have no pests. Many people simply don't believe i can plant brassicas under a cloud of cabbage whites, but i can. I'm seeing butterflies and insects i have never seen, and i know a lot of insects. 'leave it alone and they will stay' works well for untouched habitat. In human habitat 'build it and they will come' works best. I leave most iconic wild plants for them outside my growing space, sow flowers, plant grains, ornamental thistles and sunflowers for winter food, leave branch piles, break vertical cracks in the soil for salamanders to hide in by the ditch. Even these simple things boost diversity. There is so much opportunity to integrate nature back into human habitat. I wanted to create this food rich haven in this barren agricultural region and it's working. There is nothing more rewarding than being woken up from sadness, standing in the garden, head hanging low for the passing season by a flurry of precious, colorful goldfinches, all happily chattering in the alder tree, bickering over the last remaining seeds. Suddenly, life is beautiful because they are here.

[@nafanuasfemur5733]

melovescoffee wow! I would love to visit this piece that you nurtured!

[@JaiNote]

Amazing and wonderful

[@billmaze6364]

Thank you for the inspiring talk about Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian Islands

[@evabalga6133]

Treasure of information and deep look into a special culture.

[@stk9375]

Aloha e Kumu Sam ʻOhu Gon. I am proud to know you and your love for mea Hawaii. You are a hard worker in your expertise and it shows. You are not kapulu in the work you do. Terrific and heartfelt speech. Mahalo nui loa. Charles Kanehailua

[@JoaoTroples]

Mahalo Nui! May the Gods and Ancestors listen to your Oli, chant, of protection to our Beautiful and Abundant Planet. May people listen to your words, to your wisdom. Aloha!

[@cyrilpahinui]

Aloha and mahalo Brother Sam for your aloha and manao for our culture and aina. and for your protocol recognizing our skua, aumakua, and makua and their passing of knowledge experience. I aloha you.

[@melebird]

Aloha e `Ohu. I have finally viewed your TEDxMaui presentation. That said, I have learned a great deal from your teaching here. So MANY things I did not know. Mind boggling about the impact to Hawaii from the human footprint from pre-contact to current times. Every thing you have said makes so much sense and is a wake up call. Now more than ever there must be Aloha Aina. All who love Hawaii, from kanaka to mainlanders, myself included, who care about what happens there, are so very blessed to have your research, knowledge, insights and teaching. Teaching us how we can do better to protect , restore what we can; and aloha the aina, always. Mahalo nui loa `Ohu. Aloha Pumehana.

[@mintsnake]

Glad to be watching this again in the time of coronavirus! I shared this with as many people as I can. I think this is the time to be re-evaluating. Hopefully more people will listen, now that realities and consequences of treating the world as a commodity instead of a home is staring us in the face.

[@sharonwilliams3386]

Amazing speech even more applicable today than in 2014!

[@emmygrady3940]

Well done Sam! it was a really well put together presentation! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your passion. You started off with acknowledging your ancestors, living things and your land that you're very proud of. Amazing Job. :) xo

[@kimwilliamson3615]

This is AWSOME! I Love this. Thank you.

[@kerricorser4562]

This was sooo important. Mahalo nui and aloha

[@kanaiaupuni100]

True value as hawaiians is hawaii itself aloha aina I hate when I go to the beach and see that people are leaving rubbish behind or even in the mountains too when hunting. It is not right the awakening is real we will soon learn when there is nothing left and are forced to import everything and be taxed.

[@sokbok]

Wonderful message, Mahalo.

[@1extend]

Open to everything, even technology...............love this guy!

[@xoxoMCC]

Thank you for the inspiring talk and reverence of Hawaii!! The true meaning of Aloha and Aloha Aina are so beautiful - I will take that to heart with every inch of soil I step on forevermore

[@2Smart4Uapes]

I am glad our Polynesian culture inspired you!!

[@tunui1]

Havai'i Nui Loa❤️

[@captalextamonan6641]

Do our future generations have a chance left after we are done? This video raised a lot of personal questions, which summed up goes like this... If we have the Hawaiian experience, then why are people still looking for answers to our global sustainability problems...? Only an ugly truth bounces back with anything I come up with ...

[@carolyncervantes6828]

Thank you

[@mamatekeikikamawaelualanik4573]

I have always always believed without education that we are the piko of the honua. blessed by Ke Akua. Of course Na Kanaka were akamai and self sustainable sufficient because they were totally accountable unto a higher order and cooperated with ma ka hana ka ike, they looked back to go forward not push down to go up like nowadays.

[@tamrar3977]

Beautiful. Pili i ku’u poli.

[@spirioticahealing5112]

in the most simple way possible THANK YOU...Ho"oponopono

[@Daretobepresent]

Very moving chant

[@sofiablackwelder4365]

God bless you

[@calmnesschaos4290]

Please like this status if you were at the Ted talk above... waves of change are trying to reach you and the needs and healing for your loved ones are waiting to be assisted.

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Testimony of Williamson B.C. Chang, Professor of Law, April 16, 2015 at a meeting of the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Honorable Board of Regents: I have had the honor and pleasure to serve as a Professor of Law at the University of Hawai’i for the last 39 years. I have served the University and the community well. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve and work in the University. Let me start by saying this: I know a place, I know a country where there would never be a question whether to build an eighteen-story thirty meter telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea. That country, that nation is “Hawai’i.” Before 1893, it would have been unthinkable that the Government of the Kingdom of Hawai’i would ever conceive of such a plan. Yes, Kalakaua loved astronomy. All Hawaiians loved the stars. However, they loved Mauna Kea even more. Mauna Kea is “sacred” it is the Sky-Father it is the essence, the beginning of the creation chant of the Hawaiian people. All Hawaiians, all Islands, even Taro are descendants of Mauna Kea. Mauna_Kea_Telescopes When I say “Mauna Kea” is sacred, I do not mean to use “sacred” the way most people use that term. I mean “sacred” not in the same sense of worship. I use “sacred” in the sense of “precious” and “so important that nothing else counts”-I apply it to those things and people that we care so much about that we would do anything, even flout and break the law, to preserve their existence. The child of a parent, especially a young child is “sacred” in this sense. So are parents to their children. So are grandparents. Even the family pet is “sacred.” If your house was burning down would you risk your life to go into the burning house to rescue your children, your mother, your grandparents, even your beloved dog or cat? Would you go even if forbidden by first responders, firemen or policemen? Yes, many of us would go without hesitation-without thinking of the consequences. Would you give a kidney to save or extend the life of your child, your brother, your uncle? Would you spend all of your money to save a loved one from cancer? from Lou Gehrig’s disease or from a life in prison without parole? Yes, we all would. Moreover, we praise such emotions and desires of others who make such sacrifices every day. We understand the soldier who sacrifices himself by instinctively jumping on a grenade. We understand the parent or grandparent who gives all their money to see their child or grandchild through college. Whether one worships Mauna Kea or not, whether one considers it “sacred” does not matter as much as understanding the instincts that drive those to defend and save Mauna Kea-much as one would understand the absolute love for a child, or a parent even if such acts break the law. When we see the instinct of family, of brotherhood, of sisterhood of love for mankind in others we celebrate that-we gravitate to that. We love and defend Mauna Kea because it reminds us what makes us human. Sacred is not necessarily a place. It is a relationship, a deep visceral relationship: beyond reason, beyond law, beyond rationality. The Mauna Kea movement is a movement that has grown because of young people. They live in new confusing world themselves-a world of cognitive dissonance. That is they live within an outright contraction-a Hawaii in decline where there is nothing they can do. They see their world being attacked and destroyed, its water taken, its plants doused with foreign chemicals, its agricultural lands disappear in the name of gentlemen farmers, its open lands used for artillery practice, and its shoreline becoming high-end condominiums that only rich foreigners can afford. Mauna Kea Protectors 1 Moreover, to the young, Hawaii is unlivable, there is no viable future: There are no places to rent, no jobs that fit their training, no money for retirement and the endless, life-sapping traffic congestion. And now an eighteen story telescope on Mauna Kea! TMT telescope It would never be built on other sacred sites: not over the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, Angor Wat, Gettysburg, Arlington, or the Arizona Memorial? No one would think of putting a pair of glasses on the eyes of God. Why then, Mauna Kea? We, and our youth are inundated today with the attacks on the treasures of the earth and why? So, what happened to this “nation” called Hawai‘i, where Mauna Kea was loved and adored? Hawai‘i was a nation, that by a series of events, starting with an overthrow in 1893 and ending with annexation in 1900, by which another nation, the United States, forcefully took the sovereignty of Hawai‘i. What do I mean by that?-to take one nation’s sovereignty? Sovereignty is the monopoly of a government on the legitimate use of violence. By that I mean the State, the police and DLNR are the only ones today who can do so-called “legal” violence to Mauna Kea. Similarly, the police of Hawai‘i County and the officers DLNR are the only ones who can use the violence of arrest and jail or fine to force down the protectors of Mauna Kea. Protect the mountain and you go to jail. It is legal. It is called law. It is a power possessed only by the sovereign of a nation. There once was a time in Hawaii when that monopoly on the use of legal power protected not defiled Mauna Kea. In 1893 and 1900 a new Nation took over in Hawai‘i-a new nation with new rules. These were new rules that had the power to interfere with our very human, emotions and instincts, instincts derived over time from our kupuna, our ancestors and the culture of this nation of Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i has changed. Today, government has the legitimate power to do violence to families as well. Government agencies can take a child away from a parent. Government agencies can put a Hawaiian in prison for the smallest of offenses-denying him or her freedom and the chance to be with and raise their families. The world of Hawai‘i has been turned upside down. The answer lies in power, that is law-the shift over their lives by which all is reversed. In 1898 the United States, by Joint Resolution took the nation of Hawai‘i. I am a legal historian. In the appendix attached I show my work-that concludes definitively that the joint resolution had no such power. It was impotent, it was an act of Congress not a treaty. It could no more take Hawai‘i by a law then Hawai‘i by a law could take America. It was a fraud-it created a disease that spread, a malaise we all suffer-called the myth of annexation. We all believe we are part of America, we all act as if that were true. We have been taught that way. We follow the lead of others who act that way. The truth is that the joint resolution did not give to the United States the monopoly on the use of legitimate violence-a violence to build on Mauna Kea, the violence to arrest those who seek to stop that building. Most of all the University claims Mauna Kea by lease-a lease derived from the Joint Resolution. It is said that the Joint Resolution gave Mauna Kea to the United States, which gave it to the State, which gave it to the University. As a matter of law that is false. It is a lie. The University has no power over Mauna Kea. It cannot build, it cannot give permits, it cannot arrest us. The mass of young people are here today in protest because we live in a world of cognitive dissonance. They live in a world where they are learning, at the University about the truth of the Joint Resolution, which gives no power, no sovereignty to the state. Outside of their classes they see the State taking what they love-preventing them from running into the burning house to save their Mauna Kea, their father, their sky-father. And this dissonance makes them ill. It makes our youth sick. It is a crisis that creates mental illness. In short, to build on Mauna Kea is to cast a sickness throughout these islands, a sickness and sadness, not only on Native Hawaiians but on all people who live here. I have included an appendix, taken from my work, which speaks to the myth of annexation and demonstrates that the Joint Resolution had no capacity to take the Nation of Hawai‘i. I will place this testimony and my appendix on my “Scholar Space” at Hamilton Library, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, under my name. This is the link to that site. Mahalo and Mahalo Ke Akua. Williamson Chang Professor of Law

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

When I lived on Oahu, it blew my mind that the grocery stores were selling mangoes for 7$ shipped from Mexico while you could walk down the street and pick them off of a tree. I always though being homeless would be easiest in Hawaii because food grows everywhere and it is never very cold. They even had papaya trees in some parking lots.

[@resah18]

Plus he's fine! :-)

[@akakinookalani3087]

Taaaaaaaaaa Huuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@mannypaul4109]

Hokulea or the Hawaiian canoe or the Polynesian navigation system is based on the Micronesian wayyfinding navigation tradtion. The Hawaiians and safe to say the Polynesians lost their way but it was a Micronesian who re-connect them to their past and tradition. This is not a comment to belittle the Hawaiians or Polynesians but its a comment to give recognition to the people of Micronesia who have re-teached the lost knowledge to the modern Hawaiians. Love not Hate.

[@ponokanehekili3580]

All the true navigators of current times u set stand & know this as a truth. We are just acknowledging that we bare these skills like you our brothers & sisters & many others. Mahalo nui for helping us reconnect to our ways but sharing yours.

[@mlissgay5054]

aloha from big island 🏝️😅

[@faanengaaw7357]

Input: A Micronesian islander sailed the Hokule’a to Tahiti.

[@sudheeraggarwal570]

Have you seen India, for number of life zone

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

only 19 lifezones are in india :/

[@lakecrab]

Carrying Capacity...the Camel in the Tent.

[@tysonlagunte01]

Lol its me tyson

[@opaltrembath5426]

YOU ARE AWESOME! Pono’i. I have three questions to ponder...Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go after death? Oops. One more question...what is our kuleana? Betcha Da Hawaiian Sphinx knows. 🎶💃🏻🌈🦄🎶 ♎️

[@Shaun-cf8mz]

Freedom against 5h yanks empire mus be given we are all entitled to be ares Shelves

[@jamieblake561]

poggers

[@jeffreylondongolf3448]

The 1% didn't like what they heard

[@aaron___6014]

I don't get it. Do you mean government and just everyone else? where do the one percent get their money and prower, Government and the people who buy what they sell. reduce government control and buy what you believe in or create your own business.

[@jeffreylondongolf3448]

At the time I saw the video this awesome video has 1% of thumbs down. So I said the 1% as in the "ELITE" "CABAL" disliked the video. Essentially everything the Elite does is currently unsustainable. But this man speaks of harmony which opposes the 1% agenda. I think were talking about the same think brotha.

[@kaoleumu5720]

Is he hawaiian or asian?

[@NosebleedPolitics]

Yes. Both.

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

nearly every hawaiian in existence is mix. he looks mixed with japanese

[@Daugi5613]

yeah... sustainability in just eating coconuts... lol

[@michaeldemotta7724]

Sam is NOT Hawaiian

[@808-PFH-Kanaka-Rights]

yes he is. people in hawai'i are mixed which is why he looks more japanese

[@debbielee-jackson4192]

Amazing. You claim to protect the ecosystems, yet you're such a sellout by the non protective decisions you make in the state system. Step down already. Aren't you ashamed?

[@SuperLibra125]

Debbie Lee-Jackson For reals such hypocritcy👎🏾

[@SuperLibra125]

He should step down then from DLNR and say “A’ole TMT” 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@radioboys8986]

the same ancient culture that made Easter Island a treeless hell hole

[@SuperLibra125]

radio boys not true

[@shiningmoon5081]

most annoying beginning to a ted talk ever

[@kennfujioka]

+Shining Moon-perhaps you do not understand the Hawaiian language?

[@HulaHawaiianDance]

most appropriate for a Hawaiian culture practitioner

[@habibahq4272]

Hokuokalani it was really beautiful.

[@MoMo-di2rd]

This guy is a total impostor. He isn't even Hawaiian. TedEx loses credibility by posting videos of impostors. So sad.

[@MsArtistmom]

Mo Mo How so? And your proof is?

[@MoMo-di2rd]

I live here. I am an ethnobotanist that is actually Native Hawaiian (kanaka maoli) and can trace my lineage here from before the coming of Captain Cook's arrival in 1778. He is not respected by many here by many because he loves claiming things that are not from a Hawaiian point of view of respecting the land and everything on it including the people.

[@MsArtistmom]

Wow! That's really sad. I am totally with you and against posers! As much as I like the TED talks, I really think they should be careful about who they select to make presentations on any subject, especially cultural. Hawaii is a beautiful and very special place on the planet. The Hawaiian culture and people are even more beautiful to me. I briefly caught a story headline recently about the a group of native Hawaiian's and their efforts to reclaim their ancestral land. I would support that in a hearbeat! It would be absolutely amazing and so wonderful if the islands could gradually be restored to their original state. It could happen, particularly if the Hawaiian people were in charge and not outsiders who want to push their own greedy agenda. Thank you, Mo Mo for your information and for speaking the truth! Wishing you well forever and always, the Hawaiian way!

[@kennfujioka]

+Patricia Royal I have known 'Ohu Gon all of my life and his love for Hawai'i is genuine, as is his training. While it is not possible to please everyone, he is respected by many more than not in both the scientific and Hawaiian communities. Perhaps Mo Mo could give a Ted Talk so he or she could share their breadth of knowledge.

[@jahmaoli808]

+Mo Mo ai hea ka ike Hawai'i ma kela?