Nā Manu ʻElele
Stewardship Program
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In traditional Hawaiian context, birds, or nā manu, represent messengers, guardians, and beings of a particular place. ʻElele is a Hawaiian term that refers to individuals who act as ambassadors. The program embodies this philosophy by training and employing local stewards to assist in interpreting the historic nature, natural history, and safety concerns of sensitive natural areas. Additionally, the stewards will work to mitigate unwanted behaviors and ensure the safety of these areas, empowering local communities to manage and mitigate high visitor use in sensitive heritage locations within their sense of place.
Mission & History
In Hawaiian language, kupu means “to sprout or grow.” Like the kupukupu fern, Kupu’s heart is to bring life back to the people, the land, and the ocean. Our mission is “to empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with Ke Akua (God), self, and others.” We aim to provide a new, bright and hopeful future for Hawai‘i’s people and land.
Kupu ʻĀina Corps was originally created as an employment initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it is funded by the Green Jobs Youth Corps to support temporary employment in the sustainability sector. Within the Kupu ʻĀina Corps program, Kupu has been able to host the Nā Manu ʻElele program.
Nā Manu ʻElele Steward Program is a statewide program that aims to steward sensitive Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) sites that are impacted by overuse. This program is based on the successful pilot program at Pololū Trail on Hawaiʻi Island to mitigate the impacts of overuse (often by visitors) to the sensitive natural and cultural areas that DLNR manages, and the communities that are so closely connected to these ʻāina. The aim of this Program is to utilize local “stewards” (ages 17+) to assist in interpreting the historic heritage, ecological importance, and community expectations of the area as well as mitigate unwanted behaviors and ensure safety. Stewards will work with predetermined DLNR sites and programs including Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access Program (NAH), Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Forestry Program (DOFAW), Natural Area Reserves Program (NAR), and Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR).
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