Native Diaspora

This is a part one series sharing my truth about being sent back from Hōlanikū. These past 6 months have been a whirlwind of uncertainty, surrender, and trust.

This is NOT an attack, a call-out, or a story told in anger. This is me reclaiming my narrative, sharing what I experienced, and honoring my truth after disappearing for months.

In this conversation, mahi'ai and kumu Nick Kālāmakani Francisco shares deep ʻike about kalo (taro) and its central place in Hawaiian identity, history, and daily life. He reminds us that kalo is more than food — it is our ancestor, our teacher, and our kuleana.

Nick explores the story of Hāloa, the first kanaka, and how our connection to kalo ties us directly to the ʻāina and to each other. He speaks on the political power of growing our own food, calling it an act of resistance and a path toward food sovereignty and community resilience.

Listeners will learn about the diverse varieties of kalo, each uniquely adapted to different conditions — from loʻi to rocky soil — and the traditional knowledge behind planting, harvesting, and caretaking. Nick also highlights kalo’s many uses, including medicinal benefits and the use of sap for dyeing.

Through storytelling and reflection, he reminds us that growing kalo takes time, and every planting is a chance to learn. The wisdom of our kūpuna must guide how we mālama Hāloa for generations to come.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kalo and Its Significance

02:03 The Creation Story of Kalo

09:19 Cultural and Historical Context of Kalo

15:05 Personal Journey into Kalo Cultivation

19:14 Food Sovereignty and Autonomy

22:39 Growing Kalo in Limited Spaces

24:11 Diversity of Kalo Varieties

30:22 Techniques and Practices in Kalo Cultivation

34:14 Preserving Cultural Practices and Knowledge

Takeaways

• Kalo is a vital part of Hawaiian culture and identity.
• Food sovereignty is crucial for community resilience.
• Growing food is an act of political resistance.
• Kalo varieties are adapted to specific environments.
• The story of Hāloa connects us to the land and our ancestors.
• We have a responsibility to care for the land that feeds us.
• Kalo can be grown in various conditions, even in rocky soil.
• Healthy soil (lepo) is fundamental for successful kalo growth.
• Every planting experience is an opportunity for learning and experimentation.

• Different kalo varieties have unique uses and benefits.
• The sap of kalo can be used for dyeing and medicinal purposes.
• Understanding the history of kalo enriches our connection to it.

• We need to perpetuate these native kalo varieties.

• We need to listen and learn from our kūpuna.

In this episode of Native Diaspora, host Belinda, also known as Kalani, discusses her upcoming journey to Hōlanikū, also known as Kure Atoll, and the synchronicities that led her here. She shares her personal experiences, including losing her job as a teacher, the significance of Hōlanikū in Hawaiian culture, and her volunteer work focused on conservation and community engagement. Kalani emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and the spiritual connections she feels towards her ancestry and the land. She also expresses her desire to document her experiences and raise awareness about environmental issues.

CHAPTERS

00:00Introduction to Hōlanikū and Personal Journey

05:55 The Significance of Hōlanikū

12:03 Preparing for the Journey and Community Impact

takeaways

• Kalani is moving to Hōlanikū for a volunteer opportunity.
• She lost her teaching job, which led to this new path.
• Hōlanikū is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain.
• The island holds significant spiritual and cultural importance.

• She aims to document her experiences on the island.
• The podcast will shift focus to her journey and conservation work.
• Kalani wants to raise awareness about environmental issues.
• She feels a strong calling to this opportunity.
• The experience will allow her to live closer to nature.

Host Belinda, also known as Kalani, dives deep into the complexities of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Treaty Principles Bill, and the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Māori culture. She explores the current political climate surrounding Indigenous rights in New Zealand/Aotearoa , while Emily shares her personal experiences as a Māori woman. Emily reflects on her time working at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the importance of cultural identity, and the role of art in expressing indigenous narratives. She also delves into the creation story and the deeper meanings behind her art. The dialogue emphasizes the need for solidarity and collective action—both from Māori and non-Māori—towards Indigenous empowerment and addressing historical injustices.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:46 Understanding the Waitangi Treaty

06:36 Translation Issues and Misunderstandings

08:17 Legal Status of the Treaty

09:19 Current Political Climate and Treaty Principles Bill

11:33 Hikoi: Historical Protests and Their Significance

19:44 Experiences at Waitangi Treaty Grounds

20:30 Education and Awareness of Māori History

23:14 Creation Stories and Cultural Representation

29:08 Decolonization and Community Engagement

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Treaty of Waitangi has different interpretations in English and Māori.
• Understanding the Treaty of Waitangi and its impact on Māori culture.
• Insights into the Treaty Principles Bill.
• Colonialism has lasting impacts on Indigenous cultures and identities.
• Current political movements threaten Indigenous rights and recognition.
• Art serves as a powerful medium for cultural expression and activism.
• Indigenous movements are gaining momentum globally, reflecting a collective struggle.
• Education about indigenous history is often lacking in mainstream narratives.
• Community involvement is crucial for indigenous empowerment.
• Non-Māori allies must support Māori voices and leadership.
• Cultural identity is deeply tied to language and heritage.
• The future of indigenous rights depends on collective action and awareness.

In this conversation, Belinda also known as Kalani discusses the evolution of her podcast, Native Diaspora, and delves into the complexities of the education system in the U.S., particularly in relation to federal funding, political influences, and the role of religion. She explores historical narratives and the dark history of career orgins, questioning their relevance and the impact of consumerism and capitalism on society. She emphasizes the importance of local change and awareness in addressing these systemic issues.

00:00 Introduction to Native Diaspora

03:21 Show begins

03:46 Impact of Federal Education Funding

09:43 Challenges in the Education System

11:25 The Role of ICE in Schools

12:58 Religious Influence in Education

16:25 Exploring the dark history of Career Origins and Education History

29:12 Consumerism and the System

35:37 Creating Change Through Local Support

In this episode, host Belinda, also known as Kalani, engages in a deep conversation with Taʻimiroa Pajimola, one of the co-founders of Pua ʻAʻaliʻi Un-Schooling. They explore the necessity and philosophy behind unschooling, particularly in the context of Indigenous education. Taʻimiroa shares her personal journey through the perspective of a farmer and mother creating a community-focused educational model that emphasizes traditional skills, moon cycles, and the importance of connecting back with the land/'āina. The discussion highlights the challenges of traditional education systems and the transformative potential of unschooling for families and communities in Hawaiʻi.

In this conversation, Belinda, also known as Kalani, discusses the future of education from an Indigenous perspective, emphasizing the need for marginalized voices to be heard. She shares her personal experiences as a special education teacher, highlighting systemic issues within the education system that perpetuate colonial narratives and fail to support diverse student needs. The conversation calls for accountability in education, the importance of cultural identity, and the necessity for collective action to reclaim narratives and empower marginalized communities.

Navigating and working within a system as a teacher and Kanaka Maoli that is indoctrinating and assimilating Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) students in their homeland. Episode one Trailer two.

The future of education is Indigenous.

A platform dedicated to sharing the voices of marginalized Indigenous and Native communities, both from my ancestral homeland and my travels. It offers a space for discussions on the impacts of desecration, colonialism, and capitalism, while honoring storytelling rooted in history, creation stories, ancestral wisdom, and the process of re-indigenizing education. Let’s collectively remove our Western lens. As we unlearn what has been passed down from the conquerors, we can reshape our perspective through an Indigenous and Native worldview.