Kūpuna are elders, like grandparents and people wise with lived experiences. They can also be plants and animals that serve as living elders. Our kūpuna are connections to essential stories and traditions that are honored and passed down. On this episode of Outside Hawaiʻi, we honor our kūpuna, our cherished elders. We’ll visit Molokai to witness how residents revere the sacred niu and learn how to stop the destructive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Then we’ll meet Uncle Black Hoʻohuli, a respected elder in Nānākuli.  The Molokaʻi Niu videos were produced by Matt Yamashita of Quazifilms Media and the Oʻahu Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Awareness and Uncle Black Hoʻohuli videos were produced by Ryan Ishii of Street Cinema. We mahalo the Kaulunani program of the Department of Land & Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity for supporting this episode. A special mahalo to the generous donors who contributed toward preserving the legacy of our kūpuna. Outside Hawaiʻi is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit organization based in Hawaiʻi. Contact us at: info@malamalearningcenter.org or see our website at: www.malamalearningcenter.org. Copyright 2025

In these unpredictable times when it feels like chaos swirls around us, we reflect on the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” On todayʻs show, weʻll explore the power of Hoʻomau, or perseverance. Weʻll join a program for Waiʻanae youth, providing a safe space centered on ʻāina-based learning. We'll catch up with the legendary Hōkūle‘a on her Moananuiākea voyage, and share a timeless moʻolelo about courage.   We mahalo the many groups who supported this episode, including the Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu program, Polynesian Voyaging Society, and Olu Kai. Outside Hawai'i is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit organization based in Hawaiʻi. Contact us at: info@malamalearningcenter.org or see our website at: www.malamalearningcenter.org. copyright 2025

Itʻs our privilege to spotlight a treasured place that symbolizes the deep kinship between land, sea, and the Hawaiian people – a designated World Heritage Site that is valuable to all of humanity. On this episode of Outside Hawaiʻi, weʻll transport you to Papahānaumokuākea – the northernmost part of the Hawaiian archipelago. This is a world where vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and countless seabirds thrive. It’s a puʻuhonua, or refuge, for both people and nature. We mahalo the many groups and individuals who supported this episode, including NOAA, Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Kimmie Tavares, and Nā Kama Kai. As weʻve only touched on the wonders of this incredible place, please go to papahanaumokuakea,gov to learn more. Outside Hawaiʻi is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit conservation education organization based in Hawaiʻi. Contact us at: info@malamalearningcenter.org. Help us share more stories about Hawaiʻis culture and environment by making a tax deductible donation to Mālama Learning Center via www.malamalearningcenter.org. Copyright 2025

While negative news often dominates our airwaves and screens, we want you to know that countless positive actions to mālama Hawaiʻi are taking place quietly across our islands every day. On this episode of Outside Hawai'i, we bring you powerful stories of ʻāina restoration. We'll journey to Honua’ula, Maui, where relationships between people and place are deepened through preserving cultural practices. Weʻll learn how hands-on education prevents wildfires, and discover the skill of four-legged friends in advancing forest conservation.  We thank the Mākena Golf and Beach Club and the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society for their support of this episode.  Outside Hawai'i is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit organization committed to inspiring communities to care for Hawai’i by perpetuating conservation, culture and sustainability through education. Learn more at: www.malamalearningcenter.org.

Hawaiian fishponds, or loko iʻa, once provided abundant resources that fed entire communities. With the passage of time, they faced not only disrepair, but also invasive species, both on land and in the water. On this episode of Outside Hawaiʻi, we'll explore two ancient Hawaiian fishponds, each with its own story of challenges and restoration. We'll visit Heʻeia Fishpond in Kāneʻohe Bay to witness efforts to control aquatic invasive species. Then we're off to Maui's Kapoho Fishpond where work has begun to rebuild this community resource. Weʻd like to thank the Harold Castle Foundation and our friends at the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Paepae O Heʻeia, and Hawaiʻi Land Trust for supporting this episode, and a big mahalo to filmmaker Matt Yamashita and his team for producing all of today’s segments. Outside Hawaiʻi is a program of the Mālama Learning Center.To reach us, contact: info@malamalearningcenter.org. Copyright 2025

The coral reefs encircling our islands offer a wealth of often unseen benefits. They provide habitat for a multitude of marine species and give us food, recreation, and protection for coastal communities. Theyʻre vital to our way of life – and they need our care. On this episode of Outside Hawai'i, we'll explore ways that volunteers contribute to ocean stewardship. We'll join the Makai Watch team at Mālama Pūpūkea Waimea. Then we'll visit Nānākuli, where a partnership of non-profit groups is empowering the community to nurture native plants and restore coral reefs. The video segments for this episode are created by Wakeful State and Kuleana Coral Restoration. This episode is supported by a grant from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. Outside Hawai'i is a program of Mālama Learning Center. Copyright 2025

The vital role of plants is perfectly illustrated by Stevie Wonder's insightful lyrics: "I can’t conceive the nucleus of all, begins inside a tiny seed. And what we think as insignificant, provides the purest air we breathe."   On this episode of Outside Hawaiʻi, we’ll explore how hearts and minds heal when we grow plants. We’ll visit the Villages of Kapolei in west O’ahu to see how community members are changing their shared landscape. Then we’ll go to Polipoli Farms on Maui to explore a family’s inspirational journey to start an indigenous farm.  Weʻd like to thank the Villages of Kapolei, the Resilience Office at the City and County of Honolulu, and our friends at Polipoli Farms for supporting this episode. Outside Hawaiʻi is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping our communities thrive through ʻĀina-Based Education. Contact us at info@malamalearningcenter.org for more information. Copyright 2025

For years, weʻve celebrated stories inspired by the legacy of Hōkūleʻa, which revived Polynesian voyaging 50 years ago. Spawned from the worldwide voyages of Hōkūleʻa, the Hoʻākea initiative – which means to broaden and extend – is now reaching thousands of children across Hawaiʻi. On this episode of Outside Hawai'i, we go to windward and leeward Oʻahu to witness the celebration of the third annual Hoʻākea Mauka to Makai, Navigating Our Change events. These gatherings united ocean and land-based organizations to share a vision of all keiki leading our future with the mind of a navigator. Mahalo to Hawaiʻi Department of Education for its leadership in creating and supporting Hoʻākea. It’s a powerful force for leading positive change in our communities.   Credits Hoʻākea Windward Oʻahu Producer/Director/Editor Matt Yamashita www.quazifilms.com Camera/Sound/Aerials Matt Yamashita Kahale Naehu-Ramos Mahalo Hawaiʻi Department of Education Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy And all who participated in and supported this event Hoʻākea Leeward Oʻahu Director/Camera/Editor Keoni Fernandez, Mākaha Studios   Co-Producers Keoni Fernandez Pauline Sato   Mahalo Hawaiʻi Department of Education  Eala Voyaging Academy Nā Kama Kai And all who participated in and supported this event Outside Hawai`i Host Jenn Boneza Editor Tim Hunnings   Camera Keoki Smith Production Coordinator Alyssa Miller Theme Music Arranged and Performed by  Kahale Naehu-Ramos   Executive Producer Pauline Sato Copyright 2025 Outside Hawai'i is a program of Mālama Learning Center Contact us at: info@malamalearningcenter.org www.malamalearningcenter.org

In uncertain times, it's common to hear people talk of distrust leading to fear and conflict. Trust is the glue that holds communities together, and building that trust requires a genuine commitment to the well-being of the community as a whole.  On this episode of Outside Hawaiʻi, we'll explore community-led conservation efforts, including the Maui Navigation Team – community volunteers who are passionate about protecting Maui’s nearshore resources. We'll learn about the Lindsay ʻOhana’s generational kuleana toward ʻāina, and we’ll visit a school nurturing both trees and students.   We'd like to thank the following for sharing their creative skills with us: Matt Yamashita, Quazifilms Media Ryan Ishii, Street Cinema And we thank the following for making these videos possible: Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources Maui Navigation Team Harold K.L. Castle Foundation Hawaiʻi Land Trust City & County of Honoluluʻs Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry  Host - Jenn Boneza Camera - Keoki Smith Editor - Tim Hunnings Executive Producer - Pauline Sato Outside Hawaiʻi is a program of Mālama Learning Center, a non-profit organization www.malamalearningcenter.org @malamalearningcenter Copyright 2025