Mission

To enhance and promote a forest stewardship ethic that embraces biocultural restoration and conservation strategies through integration of traditional and western knowledge and through strategic cooperation among private and public organizations.

The Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forest’s mission addresses the interdependence of thriving ecosystems, cultural practice, and sustainable livelihood, and is grounded in the Hawaiian cultural perspective that place-based relationships enhance stewardship of all features on land and ocean. This mission encourages active public participation by integrating multiple knowledge systems and expanding the dialogue between various stakeholders in biocultural stewardship efforts. We work from the perspective that all places, whether protected, inhabited, or managed, are integral to the health of the whole. This frame of reference shapes the three components of our work.