ʻIke Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Knowledge)
Noho Ana Ke Akua i ka Nāhelehele:
Hawaiʻi's Sacred Ecosystems
Hawaiʻi's native ecosystems are among the most unique in the world. After thousands of years of seafaring, the first Hawaiians to arrive on the islands would have quickly recognized and respected this distinctiveness. This deep reverence for the forest and land is reflected in oli, mele, and cultural protocols passed down through generations. In this presentation, participants will be taken on a journey through Hawaiʻi's forests and coastlines, highlighting the island's unique ecosystems and their interdependence, from mauka to makai—the foundation of the ahupuaa system.
Recommended Age: 8 and older
Duration: 2 hours
Class size: 50+ participants (per session)
Two time slots available:
-
Workshop Session 5 | Saturday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
-
Workshop Session 8 | Sunday, 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM
Your Instructor
Michael
“Mikaʻela”
DeMotta
Kauaʻi
Mr. Michael “Mikaʻela” DeMotta has served as head curator for living collections for the National Tropical Botanical Garden since the latter part of 2006 till his retirement in 2023. He also served as Horticulturist and Manager of Living Collections at NTBG’s Limahuli Garden and Preserve from 2005 till he was promoted to Assistant Director of Living Collections for all of NTBG in 2007.
Mr. DeMotta was born and raised in Honolulu and attended St. Louis High School and the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. His interest in horticulture was inherited from his family, and he began growing orchids and ferns at the age of 12. His immersion into hula, culture, and language was primarily through his time in hālau with Kumu John Keola Lake. Through Kumu Lake and the interwoven nature of Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian understanding of their natural world and their role in this world, Mikaʻela did his part in understanding this and making meaningful contributions toward preserving Hawaii’s unique ecosystems and flora. During this time, he developed many of his own techniques to propagate native plants from seeds and cuttings that were otherwise difficult to grow. Many of them were critically endangered.
In addition to curating the collections for all of NTBG’s gardens and preserves and overseeing plant records, Mike was responsible for contributing to educational programs that included cultural perspectives. Mikaʻela welcomed many cultural practitioners to Lāwaʻi Valley to visit Queen Emmaʻs cottage.