3.5 Answers to Dr. Burrows Presentation-Sheena Tagalicod

1.Dr. Burrows says that Hawaiians have a connection to the land and a spiritual ecology.? Have you observed this connection? Describe.

Living in Hawai’i and learning about my Hawaiian culture throughout my years of education, have surely showed me that Hawaiians have a deep connection to our land and spiritual ecology. Many times I was given the opportunity to spend sometime in Waipi’o Valley. I observed how the farmers there have a calling to their lo’i or taro patches. They are able to feed off the spiritual energies of the area and their ancestors to maintain their crops and home. For a few days of the time, I got to experience the rituals these native farmers take with their crops and land and the importance of following the protocols taught to them by their ancestors.

2.Do you feel a connection to the Hawaii? If so, when or where do you feel most connected to the land? Do you have a scared place? If you do not mind sharing, where is this place and how does it make you feel?

Hawai’i is where I was born and raised and will always be my home. Therefore, I have a strong connection to Hawai’i. More so, Hawai’i is the land of my ancestors. Therefore, their mana or power still lingers around me. I feel most connected to the land when my family and I visit an area in Kapoho that has great meaning to us. We used to often go there to help clean up the area and maintain the overpowering grass and weeds that now surface. However, for a period of time we stop going. Recently, we started going again. My uncles got back into fishing and diving, while the rest of us get to sit back and enjoy our native surroundings. When I’m there, I feel a great sense of relaxation. That for a moment, I can relieve myself from all the stress and struggles in my life and just enjoy time with my ‘ohana and the sacredness of the land of my ancestors. I hope to continue our tradition of my family’s sacred place and pass it on to my children when the time comes to start my own family.


3.Why is indigenous ecology not just a new fad?

Indigenous ecology is not just a new fad because it has been in existent for the past 1,000 years and still continues today. It can be seen through the traditions of Native Americans, Kanaka Maoli, and other indigenous people around the world.


4.Dr. Burrows mentioned that Hawaiians evolved from the landscape. In what ways did they do this?

One ways that Hawaiians evolved from the landscape is through the alae ula which had the ability to make fire. Its spiritual being would sit in with the council of chiefs when decisions were to be made about cultural and natural resource management. The pau wahine, or mo’o reptilian, was a spiritual guardian of Kawainui. Her presence overlooks and cared for the ecological resources of the area. Other form of which Hawaiians evolved includes the anapanapa and neke fern.

5.How could Hawaiian religious and spiritual beliefs connect to sustainability?

Hawaiian religious and spiritual beliefs allow Hawaiians to take great care of their resources. They treated their environment with respect. By practicing protocol such as chanting and asking permission before entering the land, Hawaiians never took their land and resources for granted. In doing so, they were able to live a sustainable live and conserve the precious resources of the environment.


6.Do you believe that Hawaii is more sustainable than the western world? Why or why not?

I believe that ancient Hawai’i was more sustainable than the western world. The cultural beliefs and practices of Native Hawaiians were extraordinary. They were smart in their ways and in doing so were efficiently able to conserve their natural resources. Today, Hawai’i has adapted to the lifestyle of the western world in many ways. With the evolution of technology, we are much more reliant on electricity and machines. If we start to continue the way of our ancestors, we will all be able to better conserve those natural resources of our surroundings.

7.What ethic or value to do most resonate with and why?

The Hawaiian value that I most resonate with is lokahi. The world we live in is and will always be forever changing. We will encounter new things and new struggles with also surface. By practicing lokahi, you can learn to adapt to new situations and encounter all that comes your way. More so, by unifying and working together as one we will all be able to make our lives more sustainable.

3.8 Other Emerging Efforts

Cohousing provides a great opportunity for residents to live in a community that shares and works together. Each home is similar in design and build along one or more streets or around a court yard. This type of living encourages social contact amongst neighbors, but also gives them opportunity to have individual space. An important feature of cohousing is a common house which serves as the center of the community offering recreational facilities or lounge. This type of community allows members to trust one another and work together in living in a better life.

In Hawai’i, there are already some cohousing areas in place. However, in order for this to fully emerge in Hilo, residents need to be willing to live closely with people reducing the amount of privacy and space for a private backyard. Many residents in Hilo are used to the open space their child can safely play in or for them to build their own garden. Furthermore, cohousing would only successfully take place if residents are able to learn to trust one another and work together as a team.

3.7 When Culture Meets

Tourism is an important industry for many countries’ economy. It can provide a create boost in a struggling economy. Through much communication promotion, visitors are lured in with sights of bright sunny days and relaxation. Countries like Japan also encourage its residents to travel abroad to reduce its trade surplus. The tourisim industry lures in its people by encouraging them to take some time off and relax. However, while this may be boosting an economy economically, what many people often fail to realize is that tourism causes much more harm to the local environment. With more visitors, more resources are depleted and more pollution occurs. One tourist can use as much as six times as much resources as a local. There is also a greater potential of harming natural habitats and ecosystems, thus disturbing the natural life of the area.

3.6 Other Traditional Cultures

Indigenous to Southeast Asia, the Karens hail from the countries of Burma and Thailand. Many of them are farmers and traditionally farm on their rich land. The Karen people bravely defended themselves against communal violence and were finally granted their independence in 1948. The Sgaws and Pwos are subgroups of Karens each holding its own dialect. The Karen people are well known for their friendliness and vibrant festival dances.

One important aspect of their culture is the unique clothing. The Hse is worn by both men and women and can be used in different ways. The color of their clothing holds great meaning and communicates different things. For example, red signified bravery. In addition, certain shapes and patterns communicated an object or specific concept.

3.4 Broadening the Ecovillage Movement

Through this reading I learned that ecovillages are often referred to as centers of research, demonstration, and teaching. These centers provide great observation and suggest an even healthier way of living. More and more are these centers surfacing around the world. One way to encourage the expansion of these ecovillages is to help current communities realize that they are capable of living a sustainable life. Furthermore, with realization they can also use this opportunity to incorporate their own cultural beliefs as well.

I also learned that in order to help spread the mission of ecovillages it is important to use various methods of communication. In Langley, one of the most effective ways of communication was one on one conversation. This included both intentional conversations and spontaneous conversations. Other effective means of communication include telephone conversations, small and large group meetings, and even email. Each type of communication has its own strength. Building upon these means of communication will help to spread the word of the growing ecovillage communities.

Lastly, I also learned that it is important to expose people to both the positive and negative aspects of Western live. Doing so will eliminate many misconceptions that people have with the “modern” way of living. A program such as Reality Tours helps with these exposures by successfully communicating the concern of our environment and living a sustainable life. In addition, people can potentially realize what their culture has to offer in living a healthier life.

3.2 A Virtual Visit to an Ecovillage

The ecovillage in Peru’s High Amazon provides an amazing opportunity to live sustainably and learn more about you. At the same time, one could also earn college credit for participating in this experience. This is one reason why I am so fascinated with this ecovillage. In addition, what lured me in even more is that you are able to learn and experience the culture and way of life of the local community. You are given the opportunity to live the ways of the Quechua people that build upon listening and respecting the plants, animals, and energies that also live in our world. Furthermore, you also get to participate in projects that will benefit the local residents to help live an even more sufficient live in our environment.

I have a passion for my own culture and learning about the ancient beliefs and practices of my ancestors. Living in an ecovillage like the Peru-High Amazon would surely broaden my eyes to an entire different culture. Part of living in this ecovillage also gives you an opportunity to visit indigeneous sites of cultural and ecological importance. This is one aspect of the ecovillage that I would like to incorporate in to my own life. Here in Hawai’i, there are many indigenous sites that is full of great importance and hold much strength and power. I would like to explore new places of my ancestors and even re-visit sites that I have already seen before. With my new found vision of the importance of our environment, I am more appreciative of all that surrounds me.

3.1 Beyond You and Me: Reading Response 1

Communities are an important aspect of our world. There are many different types of communities all of which is unique in its own way. One important characteristic of a community is the individuals that make up each community. The uniqueness of each individual allows for a healthy community to develop. Furthermore, the more trust that is present amongst members of a community, the more the community will be able to flourish.

I found it particularly interesting reading about the Dagara people and their community that incorporates their ancestors in their community. It is their belief that every child returned to Earth from the world of their ancestors. Each child also holds a specific purpose to fulfill known as a gift. The members of the community support the child to help him or her fulfill their destiny. As a Hawaiian, I am a firm believer that our ancestors are always with us to help guide and protect us in all that we do. I feel that it is important to recognize that there are many communities in our world that incorporate their ancestors who have the ability to influence its members’ daily lives. Additionally, our ancestors can play a big part in helping the world get rid of its harmful effects such as violence and separateness. In doing so, a healing of our world can take place allowing for the creation of a global village.