In this episode Michael speaks with Dr. Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, a professor in the department of tropical plant and soil sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Noa’s specialty areas include biogeochemistry, ethnography, and archaeology of traditional farming methods. Noa tells Michael about his work on Hawaiian farming systems and the Hawaiian concept of Kuleana as a combination of both a right to and respect for the environment. Noa also talks about the intrinsic power of stories and the importance of interdisciplinary work in enabling us to tell compelling stories about our relationship with the environment.

References and resource:

Another interview with Noa on Science Friday: https://www.sciencefriday.com/person/noa-kekuewa-lincoln/

Lincoln, N. K., Rossen, J., Vitousek, P., Kahoonei, J., Shapiro, D., Kalawe, K., Pai, M., Marshall, K., & Meheula, K. (2018). Restoration of ‘Āina Malo‘o on Hawai‘i Island: Expanding Biocultural Relationships. Sustainability: Science Practice and Policy, 10(11), 3985. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113985

Lincoln, N. K., & Ardoin, N. M. (2016). Cultivating values: environmental values and sense of place as correlates of sustainable agricultural practices. Agriculture and Human Values, 33(2), 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-015-9613-z