Family Environmental History in Hawaiʻi
March 21, 2025 By: Alex Hankins
Growing up in Hawai’i, I have always felt deeply connected to the land and ocean that surround me. This connection is not just personal, but generational, woven into the histories of my family members who came before me. Reflecting on my environmental history, I see how the landscapes my grandparents, parents, and I have inhabited have shaped our values and relationships with nature.
My grandmother, who is now 82 years old, grew up on O‘ahu. Ethnically she is part Hawaiian and part Korean, a heritage that influenced her experience of the land in many ways. Growing up in the mid-20th century, she faced discrimination due to her Asian heritage, especially in the aftermath of World War II. Despite these challenges, her life was deeply intertwined with the natural environment. Her family depended on growing native plants, sustaining themselves with resources the land. Taro patches, or lo‘i, were common in the valleys where native Hawaiian agricultural practices thrived, though by her time, much of these traditional systems had already been displaced by sugarcane and pineapple plantations controlled by large corporations. These industries transformed the landscape, replacing native forests and wetlands with monoculture crops for export. My grandmother talked about how the rivers and streams that once fed the lo‘i had been diverted, disrupting the traditional ways of living off the land.
My parents grew up in a different Hawai‘i, one shaped by urbanization and tourism. My mother, like my grandmother, was born and raised on O‘ahu. By the time she was growing up, much of the island’s economy revolved around tourism, and the lands that once provided food were being developed into resorts, golf courses, and suburban neighborhoods. My father, who came to Hawai‘i from California during middle school, also experienced the contrast between the natural beauty of the islands and the extensive human impact on them.
Despite the changes, my parents still held a strong appreciation for nature, though their relationships with it were different from my grandmother’s. They did not grow up planting kalo patches in the same way, but they respected the ocean and the mountains. Beach days and hikes were common, but there was always an understanding that these places were not just for recreation—they were sacred, deserving of respect. Even as urban development continued to encroach on natural spaces, they instilled in me the idea that we should care for the land and water because they sustain us.
I have seen firsthand the ongoing environmental struggles in Hawai‘i. The beaches that once seemed infinite are shrinking due to sea level rise and erosion. Coral reefs are suffering from bleaching caused by warming waters. The native forests are invaded by non-native species brought by global trade and human expansion. The traditional ways of living in balance and harmony with the land have become harder to maintain in a colonized world driven by economic growth and globalization.
My own relationship with the environment has been shaped by these changes, but also by my education and career aspirations. Studying Natural Resources Conservation at the University of British Columbia and working as an Environmental Consultant in Kamloops have expanded my understanding of how humans interact with their environments across different regions. In Hawai‘i, I saw the effects of colonialism and globalization on native ecosystems and Native Hawaiians. In British Columbia, I have seen different but parallel struggles, where Indigenous communities fight to protect their lands from resource extraction and environmental degradation.
One of the biggest differences between my generation and my grandmother’s is the role of activism and science in shaping our relationship with the environment. While she lived in close connection with the land, my generation engages with the environment through a mix of tradition, science, and advocacy. I have had the opportunity to work on conservation efforts through beach clean-up, pulling invasive algae, rebuilding fishponds, and even researching a parasite affecting endangered Hawaiian monk seals. I have also been able to learn about policy and restoration efforts, something that was not as accessible to previous generations.
Another important factor in my environmental perspective is my ethnic background. Being part Hawaiian has made me more aware of the importance of Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship. The concept of “malama ʻāina” (care for and honor the land) is something that resonates deeply with me. I have also become more aware of how my mixed heritage fits into this story, as my ancestors were also the colonizers.
Looking toward the future, I want my relationship with the environment to be one of both respect and action. I want to help restore native ecosystems, advocate for policies that protect our land and water, and continue learning from Indigenous knowledge systems. My grandmother’s generation had an intimate, practical connection to the environment. My parents witnessed the changes brought by modernization. My generation has the responsibility to bridge the gap between the past and the future, using both traditional knowledge and western science to protect what remains and restore what has been lost. In reflecting on my family’s environmental history, I hope that by understanding our past, we can shape a future where the environment is not just something we use, but something we honor and sustain for generations to come.