KE’EAUMOKU KAPU 2010 Hawaiian Leader running for Council on Maui

The transcript opens with a repetitive and poetic call to “unlock the hope” that resides within every individual, emphasizing the urgent need for change. There is a spiritual and motivational tone, highlighting collective responsibility (“we must do our part”) and the power of unity (“our hands can heal the ones we love”). The message stresses that change will only occur when hope is unlocked and embraced by the community. The repeated phrases reinforce the urgency and importance of this transformation, setting a hopeful yet determined atmosphere.

• [02:41 → 03:34] Introduction of Guest: Ke’eaumoku Ke’eaumoku

Ke’eaumoku introduces himself as a native of Lahaina, Maui, specifically from the Kaua’ula Valley, an important historical agricultural area that supported the Kingdom of Hawaii before Western contact. He is a candidate running for a council seat representing West Maui. The interview clarifies the at-large voting system in Maui County, where all residents can vote for any candidate, not just those from their district, allowing Ke’eaumoku to represent a broad constituency. This segment establishes his local roots and political candidacy.

• [03:34 → 05:29] Motivation to Run: Returning Home and Cultural Responsibility

Ke’eaumoku explains his return to Maui in 1997 to fulfill family and generational responsibilities tied to the land. His motivation stems from deep roots in Hawaiian history and culture, particularly from living in Lahaina, a place with rapid historical changes and significant cultural value. Over years of dialogue with elders (kupuna) across Maui and Hawaii, he has sought to integrate traditional resource management methods into modern governance, contrasting them with current restrictive and punitive regulatory approaches. This reveals his desire to blend cultural heritage with contemporary policy to better serve the community.

• [05:29 → 07:25] Torch March: A Symbol of Unity and Cultural Reawakening

Ke’eaumoku recounts a seven-day torch march around Maui, starting from Mokuula, a sacred site, where the torch was lit by traditional hand-rubbing methods, symbolizing a sacred fire. The march aimed to foster cohesiveness among Native Hawaiians and the wider community, including non-Native Hawaiians, by engaging diverse cultures and discussing Hawaii’s environmental and economic prosperity. The communal support experienced, such as early morning welcomes and shared meals, reinforced a sense of dignity, respect, and collective identity. This experience was pivotal in inspiring Ke’eaumoku to run for council, linking cultural tradition with political engagement.

• [07:25 → 09:23] Community Involvement and Leadership Roles

Since returning home, Ke’eaumoku has been heavily involved in community efforts and governance. He served five years on the Maui County Culture Resources Commission and has been active for over seven years on the Maui Island Burial Council. He also participated in the West Pacific Fisheries Management Council, a federally mandated body focused on minimizing human impact on ocean environments. Additionally, he chairs the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council, advising the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on protecting culturally significant sites. These roles demonstrate his commitment to cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and community advocacy.

• [09:23 → 11:25] Historical Context of Maui’s Land Divisions and Governance

Ke’eaumoku elaborates on Maui’s traditional land management system, which historically divided the island into 12 districts (mokupuni), each with subdivisions called ahupua’a, managed by local leaders. This system ensured resource protection and economic sustainability at a community level. In contrast, the current judicial decree from 1956 reduced districts to six, reflecting a shift away from traditional governance. He highlights the importance of these indigenous management practices for equitable resource distribution and preventing adverse impacts from development, advocating for their incorporation into modern policymaking.

• [11:25 → 14:30] Vision for the County Council: Spiritual Leadership and Cohesion

Ke’eaumoku identifies a need for greater unity and spiritual cleansing within the county council to foster pride and responsibility among representatives. He suggests moving beyond superficial ceremonies to instill a deeper understanding of the districts and the people they serve. He stresses the importance of educating younger generations, addressing economic hardships like job losses, and restoring respect for community values. He advocates for blending traditional Hawaiian concepts such as ahupua’a management with contemporary governance to solve modern challenges, particularly resource and environmental issues like water rights conflicts.

• [14:30 → 16:39] Addressing Social Challenges: Homelessness and Community Support

Ke’eaumoku highlights the growing hardships faced by residents, including job loss and housing insecurity, and the inadequacies of current social support systems. He emphasizes the need for emergency shelters coupled with programs to assist displaced families, particularly those affected by economic shifts like the closure of the sugar cane industry. He shares his personal approach of taking in family members in need, advocating for a communal and compassionate response from county policies. Protecting families and ensuring proper education for homeless children is a key priority.

• [16:39 → 19:05] Sustainable Development and Green Zones

While not opposing development outright, Ke’eaumoku calls for it to be carefully planned and sustainable. He proposes that large subdivision projects should include significant portions of green zones dedicated to agriculture and open space, fostering self-sustaining communities. He critiques current county practices of minimal park space and the transfer of maintenance to private entities, emphasizing the potential of green spaces to support food production and community resilience during hardships like drought. This vision connects traditional land stewardship with modern needs.

• [19:05 → 20:54] Protecting Native Crops from GMO Threats

Ke’eaumoku expresses deep concern about genetic modification (GMO) of native crops, particularly taro, which holds genealogical and cultural significance. He supports county council efforts to ban GMO testing and protect indigenous agriculture from patents that could undermine food sovereignty, such as companies owning seed rights and taxing farmers. This issue reflects broader themes of cultural preservation, environmental integrity, and resistance to corporate control over natural resources.

• [20:54 → 23:28] Experience in Governance: Advisory Roles and Transparency

Ke’eaumoku details his extensive experience serving on various commissions and councils, including the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council with representatives from all islands. This role involves making statewide decisions that affect multiple communities, balancing local interests with broader impacts. He advocates for increased transparency and accessibility in government, lamenting barriers like limited public access to council meetings and the dominance of private sector interests. He commits to opening doors for community engagement and fostering direct dialogue.

• [23:28 → 26:13] Community Engagement and Youth Participation

Ke’eaumoku stresses the importance of involving younger generations in politics and community leadership to secure Hawaii’s future. He has been teaching food sovereignty and cultural values through programs restoring taro patches, supported by grants from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. These programs educate youth on traditional agricultural practices, instilling pride and responsibility for the land. He highlights the cultural significance of hard work and the sharing of harvests, strengthening community bonds.

• [26:13 → 28:12] Cultural Diversity and Respect for Host Culture

The conversation touches on the success of Filipino communities in maximizing small spaces for productive gardening, serving as a model for sustainable living. Ke’eaumoku advocates for respect and revitalization of Hawaii’s host culture, emphasizing the need for all residents—including newcomers and visitors—to honor indigenous traditions. He notes the spread of Hawaiian culture outside the islands, such as in California, where Hawaiian identity is embraced by many, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of cultural preservation.

• [28:12 → 30:51] Island Perspective on Environmental Challenges and Development

Ke’eaumoku draws parallels between Maui and other islands in the Pacific and beyond, sharing observations from Guam, Raiatea, and mainland US regions. He warns about the rapid, invasive development and its environmental consequences, advocating for an island-centric approach that respects natural boundaries and resource limitations. He stresses the urgency of addressing issues like freshwater scarcity and the need for sustainable land use, warning against the commodification of natural resources by private interests.

• [30:51 → 33:13] Legislative Framework and Environmental Impact Transparency

The discussion includes Act 212 (2007), establishing the Ahamoku Council to aid traditional resource management. Ke’eaumoku explains the importance of transparent processes around environmental impact statements (EIS), which allow communities to review and comment on development projects. He critiques the lack of public awareness and accessibility to these documents, pointing out failures in ensuring meaningful community participation. He also references archaeological preservation requirements and the challenges of navigating bureaucratic timelines to protect cultural sites.

• [33:13 → 34:55] Balancing Family and Advocacy

Ke’eaumoku shares personal insights into balancing family life with political and community work, noting that late hours are his most productive time due to family demands during the day. He values family as a source of strength and grounding, emphasizing traditional Hawaiian family meals as a time for connection, prayer, and discussion. His family actively supports his political ambitions, reinforcing his sense of responsibility and purpose.

• [34:55 → 38:06] Re-engaging Hawaiians in Politics and Community Leadership

Ke’eaumoku addresses the widespread disillusionment among Native Hawaiians regarding politics, noting feelings of exclusion and predetermined decisions by legislators. He encourages Hawaiians to re-engage as educators and leaders, not merely politicians, to influence positive change. He envisions a collaborative future where Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian communities work together with mutual respect and shared goals, emphasizing the need to restore trust and participation.

• [38:06 → 40:23] Traditional Land Concepts and Environmental Stewardship

He explains the traditional Hawaiian land divisions—Vau Akua (sacred, highest mountain), Vau Kele (productive midlands), and Vau Kanaka (settled areas)—advocating for development that respects these natural and cultural boundaries. Ke’eaumoku warns against invasive development that disregards nature’s rhythms and calls for a slower, more mindful approach that aligns with environmental sustainability. He highlights the dangers of rapid modernization, including vulnerability during crises such as power outages or natural disasters.

• [40:23 → 44:21] Community Resilience and Collective Responsibility

Ke’eaumoku calls for community-wide shifts toward preparedness, mutual support, and shared resources. He believes that collective respect and cooperation among private and public sectors can transform Maui’s social and environmental landscape. The interview concludes with reflections on his commitment to preserving island culture, protecting future generations, and maintaining the unique “island feeling” that defines Hawaii. His passion for serving his community and safeguarding its heritage is clear.

• [44:21 → 47:31] Closing Remarks and Final Call to Action

The program ends by returning to the opening theme of unlocking hope and the necessity of change. Ke’eaumoku’s message is one of empowerment, urging everyone to embrace their role in shaping Hawaii’s future. The repeated refrain underlines that nothing will change unless people actively unlock hope and work together to make a better life for all. The closing expresses gratitude and aloha, reinforcing the spiritual and communal foundation of the entire dialogue.

Summary:

This transcript presents an in-depth interview with Ke’eaumoku Ke’eaumoku, a deeply rooted Hawaiian community leader and political candidate for Maui County Council. The conversation weaves themes of cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and social justice throughout. Ke’eaumoku’s personal narrative—from his return to Maui to his leadership roles on various commissions—illustrates a commitment to integrating traditional Hawaiian values with modern governance. He advocates for a renewed island perspective that honors indigenous land management systems, promotes food sovereignty, and protects native crops from genetic modification threats.

Ke’eaumoku emphasizes the importance of spiritual and communal cohesion in political institutions, calling for transparency, accessibility, and youth engagement in governance. He highlights pressing community challenges such as homelessness, job loss, and water rights conflicts, proposing compassionate and practical solutions grounded in Hawaiian concepts like ahupua’a. The interview also touches on the need to respect Hawaii’s host culture among residents and visitors alike, fostering an inclusive yet culturally aware society.

Ultimately, Ke’eaumoku’s message is one of hope, unity, and responsibility—urging Hawaiians and all residents to unlock their collective power to enact meaningful change. His vision blends cultural heritage with contemporary challenges, aiming to safeguard Maui’s environment, empower its people, and preserve its unique identity for future generations.

00:09

The time has come to make a change The time has come to unlock a hope that lives In each and every one of us And we must do our part