E ola mau o Papahānaumokuākea: Intertidal Surveys, Mapping, and Mo'olelo at Nihoa and Mokumanamana
During the summer solstice from June 20-27, 2025, Na Maka Onaona participated in a NOAA
Papahānaumokuākea voyage to Nihoa and Mokumanamana with a group of multi-talented
Kānaka ʻŌiwi and kamaʻāina including scientists, researchers, media creators, kanaka ocean
safety and lawaiʻa from Na Maka Onaona, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Papahānaumokuākea
Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group, the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources,
Palikū Documentary Films, the MEGA Lab, and Kua ʻĀina Ulu ʻAuamo Limu Hui. Kanoe
Morishige led this team as the NOAA chief scientist and coordinated with Moani Pai, Lasha
Salbosa, and the NOAA PNMS team to pull it all together.
"This huakaʻi reaffirmed the kuleana we have as a lāhui to have aloha ʻāina as our kahua. In my work capacity, I see how important our kulana is to hold these spaces and be placeholders, while advocating for our rights, protections, and overall healing."
"We are currently in the channel between Kauaʻi and Oʻahu and moving at a pretty steady clip. Huge thanks to the crew of the Imua for finding the most steady possible path back home as the swells have been pretty pronounced, especially in the channels. We were asked by our team lead, Kanoe, to write a short reflection as to our thoughts after this voyage and so I’m going to take the time to do that in this writing this evening as my last post of the voyage."
"Seven days ago, I set out on a journey that would shift something deep within me. I boarded with excitement, anticipation stirring in my chest, and a touch of uncertainty. I didn’t know exactly what lay ahead—but I knew it would leave its mark."
"When I got the kāhea just a week before, I was instantly honored and felt the deep weight of that call. Reconnecting to more Hawaiʻi is something I’ve been actively seeking, and stepping onto Mokumanamana for the first time and doing so with these incredible individuals made my heart so full."
"Mahalo iā oe for leading our amazing group of kanaka ʻōiwi and kamaʻāina to pō. The trip was
really about integrating culture, stewards, and everyone else onboard IMUA, but i will say that as an individual I was able to connect to Papahānaumokuākea on a completely different level this time around."
