MĀLAMA ‘ĀINA: SUSTAINING RESILIENT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE

Abstract

The connection between humans and the Hawaiian Islands’ landscape has undergone continuous change. Native Hawaiians’ values are founded on principles like Mālama ‘Āina, which emphasizes caring for and respecting the land. Colonization established the groundwork for mass tourism, which has disrupted the balance and led to environmental damage and cultural marginalization. This thesis aims to reframe tourism away from mass-market appeal and towards an educational experience that prioritizes local communities and ecosystems. By incorporating Hawaiian beliefs and experiential learning, tourism can foster respect for the land the people who live there every day.