As a teacher, I strive to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives on natural resource issues with in-depth training and research in collaborative and community-based management. I include open discussions and projects that allow students to select and explore their own interests, along with structured activities and required assignments that guide student learning. A typical class includes theoretical readings, case studies (local and international), a short lecture, discussion and activity. Student projects, developed in partnership with local organizations engaged in collaborative management, provide students experience in building relationships with communities and producing research relevant to diverse stakeholders. Through these projects, students have to find synergy between group members’ diverse skills, community needs, and course requirements, while practicing essential real world skills such as communication, time management, teamwork and leadership.
NREM 620 – Kaiāulu: Collaborative Care and Management of Natural Resources
Conservation efforts increasingly rely upon collaboration and communication between many partners including scientists, natural resource managers, land owners, government agencies, policy makers, conservation groups, funding organizations, resource users, Indigenous peoples, and community members. In this course we draw upon theory and case studies, mostly centered on coastal resources, to examine changing roles and interactions among these many potential partners, while building concrete skills to enhance collaboration. Students in this course gain experience in the following skills: identifying and interacting with communities; designing effective meetings; listening and facilitation; as well as understanding and analysis of collaboration and conflict. Key course concepts include common pool resources, property, access, Hawaiian approaches to resource management, collaborative and adaptive management. See syllabus.
Education 491 – ʻIke ʻĀina: Experiencing and Crafting ʻĀina Based Education
This is a field-based learning course through the UH Mānoa Outreach College. Students develop their own definition and understanding of ʻāina based education. They will be able to evaluate and explain reasons (personal, political, practical, pedagogical, and pono) for implementing ʻāina based education in their teaching. Students create and describe their own criteria for quality ʻāina based education, and apply these criteria to crafting a quality ʻāina based education experience for their students.
NREM 458 / HWST 458 /SUST 458 – Natural Resource Issues and Ethics in Hawaiʻi
This course is team taught by professors of the Hui ʻĀina Momona Program. It examines ethical issues and current decision-making relevant to natural and cultural resources in Hawaiʻi. Multiple themes and case studies are explored from ecological, economic, legal, Indigenous Hawaiian and socio-political perspectives. See syllabus.
NREM 491 – Hoʻokahua: Ahupuaʻa Based Leadership Education
Ho‘okahua is an ‘āina-based leadership course in kiaʻi ʻāina, which is the capacity to care for, guard, and govern natural resources at the community level. The course builds skills, knowledge, and relationships through group learning in multiple areas related to ʻāina including: Hawaiian culture; environmental science; law and policy; and community development. Student groups apply learning from the course to deepening their knowledge of an ahupua‘a of their choice. They learn through classroom discussion and activities, guest speakers, and four required huakaʻi (field trips). See syllabus.
NREM 625 –
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