Mission: The Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee cultivates and models conservation leadership in Hawaiʻi using trans-disciplinary strategies, generational bridging, and Hawaiian Values to support the growth of future generations of environmental stewards.
Vision: Hawaiʻi’s conservation field is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and strong foundations in Hawaiian values and practices who lead by example to empower and work within various communities to restore and perpetuate the natural resources and cultural practices placed in our care.
History
Meaning of Nāhululeihiwakuipapa
It is the name given to the aspiring professionals of the conservation field. The feather lei is the garment of divine aloha and symbol of protections for our natural environment. The feathers which make up the lei are sacred gifts from nā manu Hawaiʻi, those creatures which soar through the heavens and serve as a link between the Divine Creator and man. The Leihulu, feather lei, made by Kuipapa. It is the style where new feathers manifested by Akua are perfected for placement by man and arranged in the pattern designed by Akua. We shall be compared to the feathers of the lei. And let our mindset and work string us together (kui) and be reflective of the good training we’ve had and that we will provide in the future. May we help the Lei Maker (Akua) design a future for Hawaiʻi that will please the ancestors, create health, peace and balance for the people (feather) who will follow us for seven generations. May our lei be the symbol of protection for our natural word and bind our spirits together.
Meet Our Subcommittee Members
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa is made of Alliance members and partners from government, private, non-profit, and educational organizations across Hawaiʻi. They provide support, knowledge, expertise and passion in the development of networking, mentorship, and career development opportunities for emerging professionals and students in the conservation field. Meet our members!
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Road Map
The Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Road Map is an important document that is periodically updated to guide the work of the subcommittee. By developing and implementing the programs and resources identified through the Road Map, the Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee hopes there will be vital and diverse leadership and capacity [people] rooted in Hawaiian values in Hawaiʻi to engage/work in union with communities to effectively conserve and restore native ecosystems and species and be a model for the world. View our 2021 – 2023 Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Road Map.
Projects
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Emerging Professional Workshop
Held annually at the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, Nāhululeihiwakuipapa develops a workshop that provides emerging professionals and students an opportunity to develop technical, networking and leadership skills critical for career, community, and personal success. Workshop topics are selected based on the interests and needs indicated on surveys taken by emerging professionals and students. Our goal is to empower workshop participants to lead from where they are, by providing them the opportunity to put learned skills into practice. View current and past workshops.
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa’s Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program
The Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program at the annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference is intended to provide an opportunity for students and emerging professionals from Hawai‘i to meet and network with Hawaiʻi’s established professionals in the conservation research and natural resource management community. The program provides a means and structure to engage both audiences in meaningful dialogue on interests, experiences, and opportunities at the Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Mentors and mentees benefit from the one-on-one interaction they experience. Learn more.
Become a Subcommittee Member!
The Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee is always seeking new members to help us carry out our goals and vision to support Hawaiʻi’s next generation of conservation leaders. If you are interested in joining our subcommittee, please view our Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Subcommittee Member Recruitment document. You can also reach us via email by contacting capacity@hawaiiconservation.org.
