Moana P.K. Ching, Tahaʻa Kahele, Pahonu Coleman, Tate Keliʻihoʻomalu
Panel Description
Facing Future – Kuleana: An exciting opportunity to hear from inspiring future leaders across Hawaiʻi who will share their vision for conservation as a kuleana and career in Hawaiʻi. Our Next Generation plenary session will be an exciting platform for storytelling and sharing by rising Aloha ʻĀina leaders and future conservation change-makers in Hawaiʻi. Join us to hear from our panel of ʻōiwi influencers as they share their experiences, challenges, and hopes as they face the future ready to lead and create new solutions to old problems.
Panelists:
Moana P.K. “Ulu” Ching
Moana, known as Ulu by her ʻohana (family) and within her community, is a Mother, Partner, Daughter, and passionate guardian servant to Hawaiʻi, both people and place. Born in Moanalua on Oahu she is the third of nine children and a hānai of her maternal Aunt who, with her maternal Grandparents, raised her in Keauhou and Kahaluʻu, Kona on Hawaiʻi. Ulu is a life-long learner looking to the individual and collective histories of her ancestors and the people of Hawaiʻi to inform a healthy and sustainable future for the next seven generations. Ulu has been a part of community-driven efforts since childhood seeing her kūpuna and mākua work to protect and preserve lands, waters, and language across Hawaiʻi. She continues that sacred work with her mentors, peers, and colleagues in Hawaiʻi first at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and since 2016 with Conservation International Hawaiʻi. She is honored and privileged to work by the sides of families and communities of Hawaiʻi who continue the traditions of mālama ʻāina in a changing 21st century world. What she does is who she is. As a kama a Kona, Ulu strives to have her actions reflect who and where she is from.
Tahaʻa Kahele
Taha’a Kahele is from Miloli’i one of the last fishing villages on the Island of Hawai’i (Moku O Keawe). He is a Konawaena Alumni and an active participant in Milolii Is CBSFA, Mohala Na Konohiki and Opelu Project. Kahele is also the Director of Conservation and Cultural Management for Ocean Janitors Hawai’i.
Pahonu Coleman
Pahonu Coleman is a Kupa of Waimanalo and a recent Graduate of Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kailua. He is the former vice-chair of the Honolulu Youth commission and the current po’o alaka’i of NKOW. He is also one of the lead Plaintiff in the Historical case Navahine V. HDOT, he works to safeguard his community against climate change threats and and is committed to protecting ‘Åina, Kai and Kanaka.
Tate Keliʻihoʻomalu
Tate Keli’iho’omalu serves as the Coordinator for Maui Nui Makai Network, a network of community and partner groups across Maui Nui that care for ecosystems on which Hawai’i’s people depend on. Tate, although born and raised on O’ahu, found her passion for aloha ʻāina as a keiki on Maui through efforts of reinstating ahupua’a systems. Through her life in the water as a paddler and kayaker, Tate graduated from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa in ʻIke Hawai’i (Hawaiian Studies) with a focus in Mālama ʻĀina. Tate currently assists in leading community-led stewardship initiatives that are rooted in traditional and place-based knowledge. Her drive is to help ho’oulu (grow) not only the ʻāina and kai but the surrounding communities where you will find the aloha.