A week of gatherings and an NHPI response to climate change
This January, SoCal PICRT’s Environmental Justice Program Coordinator, Shana Coleman, traveled to Hawai'i for two powerful gatherings: the NHPI Climate Resilience Convening, hosted by National CAPACD, and the Climate Change and A Turning Point for Planetary Prosperity Conference, organized by ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka (Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians). Both events offered the chance to connect with NHPI leaders and advocates tackling the urgent realities of climate change.
“These gatherings were more than conference room meetings. They were immersed in cultural traditions, from removing our shoes at the door to traditional Hawaiian food prepared by Native Hawaiian hands with locally sourced ingredients. They were climate advocates leading by example.” she shared. “Being in a room with people who are so deeply connected to their culture reminded me why this work is so important.”
At the NHPI Climate Resilience Convening, held in Oahu, participants explored how Pacific Islander organizations can strengthen their communities in the face of climate change. Site visits to initiatives like the Pakini Loan Fund in Waiʻanae showed local efforts to build resilience. The group also heard first hand testimony from a business that received one of the first loans, Custom Auto Repair & Services.
At the ‘Ohana Kako’o Resource Center, “We dove right into the tough questions,” she explained. “How do we prepare our people for climate change? How do we ensure climate resiliency while trying to build resilient communities?” There’s no one right answer for these questions but the conversations assure her that there are many hands on deck and opportunities to support.
The Climate Change and A Turning Point for Planetary Prosperity Conference, held at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, offered seasoned perspectives on the intersection of health and climate change. “One of the most inspiring moments was visiting Ho‘oulu ‘Āina Farm,” she recalled. "Seeing how they grow food as medicine was a testament to how powerful our Indigenous knowledge is."
With examples of injustice visible all around Hawai’i, the conferences had no trouble highlighting the challenges faced by Pacific Islanders. “Our islands contribute less than 1% of global emissions, but we’re on the frontlines of climate change, fighting to keep our islands and our cultures from sinking into the Pacific. That imbalance is infuriating,” she said.
Yet, the experience was not without hope. "I walked away more committed than ever to helping our people reconnect with the land and with each other." she reflected. “This isn’t just about fighting climate change, it’s about reclaiming who we are as Pacific Islanders and showing the world how to live in balance.”
For her, the message was clear, “We don’t just need to be at the table for climate solutions. We need to lead.”
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