Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana

At the heart of central Oʻahu lies Kūkaniloko, the site of the birthstones where the highest ranking children in the Nation of Hawaiʻi were born and raised to be leaders. It is a place of profound cultural significance and deep ancestral connection. In this special field-recorded episode, we step away from the usual agency perspective and into conversation with cultural practitioner Kahu Tom Lench...

What does hunting really mean in Hawaiʻi—and why does it matter more than many people realize? In this episode, we head mauka to explore a side of conservation that’s often misunderstood. From early mornings in rugged terrain to the deep cultural roots of subsistence living, hunting is more than a pastime; it’s food security, ecosystem management and a way of life. Join DLNR Game Management expert...

What’s in a fish name? In this episode, staff from the Division of Aquatic Resources Hawaiian culture team talk about the importance of using the proper Hawaiian names for fish and other marine life found in Hawaiʻi’s waters. They explore how these names reflect cultural knowledge, history, and relationships with the ocean and land. And why bringing them back into everyday use helps build pilina a...

Season 2 begins. A shared kuleana continues. We’re kicking off Season Two of Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana with a powerful, cross-division conversation on 2026: The Year of Our Coastal Kuleana . DLNR leaders from Forestry & Wildlife, Aquatic Resources, State Parks, and Boating & Ocean Recreation come together to talk story about what kuleana means and how every person who lives, works, or v...

In this episode we go behind the scenes of the Bureau of Conveyances with Administrator Mike Imanaka. From recording every real estate transaction in Hawaiʻi to preserving land records dating back to 1859, Mike shares how kuleana, public service, and aloha keep Hawaiʻi’s land history — and future — on track. A must-listen for homeowners, history buffs, and anyone curious about how land, law, and l...

Winter is coming - as are the ocean swells on the North Shore that create epic surf conditions and sometimes threaten private properties close to the shoreline.   In this episode, we walk the coastline with Michael Cain, Administrator of the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), to uncover the complex balancing act between protecting private property and preserving public beaches. From...

In this episode we talk with Ian Hirokawa, Acting Administrator of the Land Division, about the critical but often overlooked role in managing Hawaiʻi’s unencumbered lands. Land Division was most recently in the news as the presenter of the Army Final Environmental Impact Statements to renew their land leases with the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Ian shares insight into the role the Divisi...

In this episode, we sit down with leaders from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to explore the immense responsibility of managing and protecting some of the most precious natural and cultural resources in the islands. From the highest mountain ridges to remote offshore seabird sanctuaries, DOFAW stewards roughly a quarter of Hawai‘i’s land mas...

In this episode, we feature the leaders of the Division of Aquatic Resources. Luna Kekoa and Brian Neilson share how personal experiences shape their values and fuel their drive to protect Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters. From adapting generational knowledge to modern science, to building trust with local communities they reveal how DAR is shifting its approach to ensure thriving fisheries for generati...

In honor of National Historic Preservation Month, we talk story with SHPD’s Jessica Puff and Susan Lebo about protecting Hawaiʻi’s cultural treasures—from Lahaina’s historic structures to iwi kūpuna. Discover why preservation matters, how you can get involved, and what makes Hawaiʻi’s heritage so unique. As our theme music by Kawika Kahiapo says: Preserve what we have. It’s our future.

In this episode of Hawaii Conservation Kuleana , DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla shares his personal journey, from growing up in Kalihi to leading Hawaii’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. Chief Redulla provides an insider’s look into the vital work of DOCARE officers, their role in protecting Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources, and the challenges they face on the front lines of...

In this episode of Hawaii Conservation Kuleana , we sit down with Meghan Statts, the Administrator, and Todd Tashima, the Assistant Administrator, of the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).  Join us for an engaging conversation about the challenges and opportunities DOBOR faces, including staffing shortages, emerging water sports, and the ongoing effort to maintain and improve H...

Join us for a conversation with the leadership of the Division of State Parks: Administrator Curt Cottrell and Assistant Administrator Alan Carpenter. Cottrell and Carpenter share their career journeys that brought them to the Division. Learn the backstory of managing Hawaiʻi state parks and the significant community partnerships that help protect our precious cultural sites.

Our first episode of Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana features the top leadership of the Hawaii DLNR, Chair Dawn Chang and First Deputy Ryan Kanakaʻole. Hear about their roles at DLNR, the experiences that have shaped them throughout their careers and what inspires them to be leaders in the community.

Step into the heart of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing environmental and cultural conversations with Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana , hosted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). In each episode, we explore the intricate balance of conservation and community, diving deep into the challenges, triumphs, and innovative strategies shaping Hawaiʻi’s land, waters, and heritage. With topics rangi...