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 Lenchanko, whose relationship to this wahi pana offers insight beyond policy or management.

Recorded on-site, this episode explores the living history of Kūkaniloko, the responsibility of stewardship, and the ongoing efforts of lineal descendants and cultural practitioners who continue to care for the area. Kahu Lenchanko shares why many believe the land should ultimately be returned to its descendants, and why mālama ʻāina is about far more than maintenance — it is about genealogy, identity, and continuity.

This is not a studio conversation. You’ll hear the wind, the birds, and the feeling of a place that continues to hold meaning for generations of Hawaiʻi’s people.

Kūkaniloko is closed to the public. To arrange an escorted visit, contact the Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawā: [email protected]

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 Nick Vargas and lifelong Lānaʻi hunter Stan Ruidas to unpack the realities behind the practice: how hunting helps control invasive species, feeds local families and connects generations through shared knowledge and experience.

Whether you’ve never set foot on a trail or you’ve seen hunters disappear into the backcountry and wondered what drives them, this conversation offers a look at the people, purpose, and kuleana behind hunting in Hawaiʻi.

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 and keep ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi alive. How did the humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa get it's name? Download this episode to find out!

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 visits Hawaiʻi plays a role in caring for our coasts.

From beach cleanups and wetland restoration to education, culture, and community partnerships, this episode explores how conservation is strongest when we work as one hui.

Listen now and learn how you can be part of Hawaiʻi’s coastal future.

Find out more: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/coasts 

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 legacy intersect. 

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 sea walls collapsing on Oʻahu’s North Shore to a statewide permit system that’s easing the process to restore traditional Hawaiian fishponds, join us as we explore:
 🏝️ Why “all beaches are public” isn’t quite as simple as it sounds
 🌊 The reality of sea level rise and shoreline retreat
 🌾 How communities are restoring fishponds and sand dunes — and what’s actually working
 ⚖️ What happens when conservation, law, and local life collide

🎧 Listen now and discover the people and policies shaping the future of Hawaii’s shorelines.

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 Division plays in processing such land use requests.

He also delves into major projects like the East Kapolei transit-oriented development and discusses how the Land Division helps generate revenue to support conservation efforts. Tune in for an inside look at the challenges and rewards of balancing public trust, law, and land use in Hawaiʻi.

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 mass — safeguarding native forests, endangered species, and vital watersheds that sustain life in the islands. DOFAW Administrator David Smith and Oʻahu Branch Manager Marigold Zoll take us behind the scenes into the day-to-day challenges and triumphs of their work.

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 generations to come. It's not just about managing resources—it's about relationships, respect, and responsibility.