Native Hawaiian Youth Leaders Speak at Inaugural Ocean Equity Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana
by Olan Leimomi Fisher & Kevin Chang
Photo credit: Kwame Sha
Since its launch in 2022, KUA has served as a founding member of the Next 100 Coalition’s Ocean Equity Collective (“OEC”). OEC is a Black, Indigenous, People of Color led coalition of organizations and people in the ocean conservation realm who have come together to foster the next generation of ocean stewardship leaders with a community-centered and equity-based lens. OEC’s mission is to continue cultural traditions, center communities, and work to amplify formerly excluded voices in ocean conservation. The collective takes a four-pronged holistic approach to ocean conservation: policy, education/narrative setting, solidarity/ally action, and movement building. This mission is largely similar to KUA’s purpose to increase and support more community-based biocultural resource management.
In early November 2023 after months of planning, KUA joined other OEC members for the inaugural Ocean Equity Summit at the beautiful Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Youth climate change activist and storyteller Chante Davis from New Orleans highlighted the importance of young voices in her Keynote Address. KUA’s Executive Director Kevin Chang and Kuaʻāina Advocate Olan Leimomi Fisher attended with two promising young Native Hawaiian leaders, ‘Oakaolali Wong of Wahiawā, Oʻahu, and Pāhonu Coleman of Waimānalo, Oʻahu. Wong and Coleman both spoke on the “Youth and our Oceans” panel discussion along with Indigo Eatman and Risa Padilla, both from Oakland, California. Maritza Mendoza of GreenLatinos moderated the discussion.
Photo credit: Kevin Chang
Wong is a Kaiapuni (Hawaiian language immersion) student who will graduate from Ke Kula ʻo S.M. Kamakau in 2025, and was also a national champion surfer. Although she moved on from competitions, the perpetuation of Hawaiian language as part of the cultural practice of surfing remains a strong focus in her life.
Coleman is a recent graduate of Kailua High School’s first Hawaiian Immersion program, former Vice Chair of the Honolulu County Youth Commission, founder and poʻo alakaʻi (leader) of Nā Kukui o Waimānalo, and serves as a board member of the Waimānalo Limu Hui, a seaweed and traditional fish pond restoration initiative. He is committed to uplifting the voices of his generation through culture, language, policy, advocacy, and more. In June 2024, Coleman was one of the youth climate activist plaintiffs that settled with the State of Hawaiʻi in a historic suit against the Department of Transportation for failing to take meaningful action to lower greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming. The settlement required the state to develop a “holistic road map” to achieve net-negative emissions for Hawaiʻi’s transportation systems by 2045, as well as creation of an advisory youth council.
The “Youth and our Oceans” panel highlighted how young people connect their lived experiences and cultural knowledge to advance strategies and solutions for ocean conservation. Wong shared her experiences and struggles being one of the few Native Hawaiian surfers in professional surfing. She also expressed pride in being fluent in her native language and being able to inspire and bring more native culture back into the ancient Hawaiian art of heʻenalu (surfing).
“It was a great experience for me to connect with a diverse group of new people and also launa pū (network) with other ʻōpio (youth) who have similar connections to the ocean, especially the surfers! I learned that there are a lot of other native people who face the same struggles that we do in Hawai’i when it comes to the control and rights to our native ʻāina (land). Although it is the sad truth, it has only made me feel even more proud to be Hawaiian and represent other Hawaiian youths. It also shows me even more how important it is that the next generation continues to fight for our land and for the pono (well-being) of our Lāhui.”
Coleman sang traditional mele (songs) and inspired many at the Summit. He shared his perspectives on the holistic nature of Native Hawaiian culture and traditions, particularly how the land, sea, and all creatures are intricately connected, with people playing an integral part in the balance of nature. He highlighted the importance of including young people in conversations and decisions related to environmental stewardship, since they will inherit Earth’s problems and have the most at stake. He emphasized that Native Hawaiian ocean perspectives are essential to all ocean conservation and stewardship discussions.
“Youth and our Oceans” panel speakers, Pāhonu Coleman and ʻOakaolali Wong (Hawaiʻi), Indigo Eatman and Risa Padilla (California). Photo by Olan Leimomi Fisher.
“I have always understood the uniqueness of Hawaiʻi’s ocean culture and rather the Pākīpika (Pacific) uniqueness on ocean culture, but I feel that this summit provided great insight for others on why Hawai’i and the Pākīpika should be front and center when making decisions about our oceans and natural resources. KUA provided me with the opportunity to share, promote, and discuss my culture with other like-minded people and ‘ōpio (youth). ʻOaka particularly reminded me of the greatness we descend from, and the importance of heʻenalu to promote and remind people of our culture…I would have wanted no one else to have this experience with than ʻOaka.”
Olan Leimomi Fisher (KUA), Bette Billiot (UHN), Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Clarice Friloux (UHN), and Jane Au of ‘Āina Momona
KUA also helped coordinate with the state-recognized United Houma Nation (UHN) for a land acknowledgement and panel about climate change, natural disasters, and industrial pressures on their homelands and native ways of life. Fisher co-moderated with fellow OEC member Jane Au of ʻĀina Momona. Tribal members Bette Billiot and Clarice Friloux, UHN Councilwoman and a Regional Organizer for Taproot Earth, represented UHN. Their Nation includes the Indigenous peoples of Bulbancha (New Orleans) or land of “many tongues,” in a reference to the diversity of languages spoken in the area. Most UHN members live along the coast of South Louisiana, not on a reservation. Some big issues they face include increased damages from storms/hurricanes, pressures from the oil and gas industries, and saltwater intrusion that threatens already limited supplies of drinking water. The community affected by saltwater intrusion is a small portion of their people living near the mouth of the Mississippi River near New Orleans. They also highlighted their love for shrimping, oyster and alligator fishing, as well as the strict traditional seasons and rules that they follow for these practices. Friloux reminisced about sitting on her porch while her grandma braided her hair and told her stories, as well as her love for being able to still fish right off her porch at the bayou. “I know where my fish, shrimp, and oysters come from.”
Eō, may the United Houma Nation, Native Hawaiians, and all formerly marginalized communities across the world continue to exercise their traditional and cultural ocean practices now and forever. And may more underrepresented voices – particularly Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and ‘ōpio – be recognized for the incredible value and equity they bring to decision making tables. Some next steps for OEC include increased participation at national ocean policy convenings, as well as planning for the next Ocean Equity Summit in early 2025.