Categorized | Environment

Lecturer speaks of ancient Kona breadfruit plantation (Sept. 27-28)

MEDIA RELEASE

Environmental resource specialist Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discusses the past, present, and future of breadfruit in an upcoming Eia Hawaii presentation in Hilo and a Puana Ka Ike lecture in Kona.

His lectures are noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 at the University of Hawaii Hilo, Campus Center (CC) 301, and 5:30–7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 in the Keauhou Beach Resort ballroom.

Noa Kekuewa Lincoln

Lincoln will present research that has examined the extent and production of the large breadfruit grove or kaluulu that grew in pre-European Kona. This breadfruit plantation of old Kona was a huge source of food — one that would produce even in drought years — that represents a critical component of the traditional economy.

“The kaluulu is a unique treasure of Hawaiian history, and tells enthralling stories of the Hawaiian people. That the plantation cuts across political boundaries and encompasses thousands of individual family plots tells of a powerful chief able to mobilize efforts across the Kona region,” Lincoln said.

He will also discuss contemporary projects aimed at revitalizing breadfruit as a healthy, sustainable food in the modern context.

Born in Kealakekua and raised on Maui, Lincoln is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools. At a young age, he displayed both a propensity and a desire for environmental science and management.

Lincoln said fishing, farming, hiking, diving, hunting, gardening — nature — was not only his playground, but also his breadbox, his classroom, and his church.

He is pursuing his doctorate in Natural Resource Management at Stanford University. His thesis at Yale University and his current dissertation work at Stanford examine how land management translates to social evolution and how social evolution influences land management.

“I proudly embrace the Hawaiian culture, which places environment at the core of human well-being. This value has become the backbone of my professional and academic accomplishments, and the guiding principle I apply to life,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln has worked in many aspects of environmental research, management, and advocacy. From coral reefs in Hawaii and fresh water in Aotearoa (New Zealand) to costal lands in Costa Rica, he has worked to shape the way individuals and organizations view natural resources and peoples’ interaction with those resources.

His efforts are coupled with cultural and environmental education and community engagement. He is also an affiliated researcher for Bishop Museum at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.

For more information on Lincoln’s presentation, contact Joy Cunefare at 322-5340 or e-mail info@kohalacenter.org.

For lecture schedules and webcasts of previous lectures, visit http://kohalacenter.org/puanakaike/about.html and www.keauhouresort.com/learn-puanakaike.html

The Puana Ka Ike and Eia Hawaii lecture series are presented in partnership with Keauhou-Kahalu‘u Education Group of Kamehameha Schools, The Kohala Center, the Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Keauhou Beach Resort.

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