“This Earth is an island, just like we inhabit Hawai’i as an island. Island mentality [is] that you live in this place that's confined in geography and limited in resources. Because of that, you depend on the community that you live with to take care of each other and to steward those resources in a meaningful way.”
Justyn Ah Chong (Kānaka Maoli) is a climate storyteller who guides creative projects in support of Indigenous land sovereignty in Hawai’i. In this episode, Justyn shares the magic of circumnavigating the globe guided only by the wind and stars, on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa that inspired a cultural renaissance. We also hear excepts from Justyn’s Emmy-award winning film Pili Ka Moʻo, which shares the fight of the Fukumitsu ʻOhana (family) of Hakipuʻu trying to protect their ancestors’ remains from a big corporate ranch.
Pili Ka Moʻo is part of the first season of our sibling initiative, Reciprocity Project. Watch the entire film here.
Learn more about the Polynesian Voyaging Society at www.hokulea.com
The song “Island Views” was provided by Rexie. Hear more of her music here.
Host: Jessica Ramirez. Producer: Stina Hamlin. Story Editor: Jenny Asarnow
Seedcast is a production of Nia Tero, a global nonprofit which supports Indigenous land guardianship around the world through policy, partnership, and storytelling initiatives.
Enjoy the Seedcast podcast on the Nia Tero website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast platforms.
Keep up with Seedcast on Instagram and use the hashtag #Seedcast.
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