Nature, Art and Native Knowledge: Hawaii’s Lessons for the World

“Why mālama ʻāina? Because ʻāina mālamas us. 

Why aloha ʻāina? Because ʻāina alohas us.” 

When Hawai'i State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall said these words in a recent event at the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, a hush fell over the room. This statement perfectly encapsulated the spirit of both the museum itself and the transformative dialogue we were hosting that explored the intersections between nature, art and native knowledge. 

If you’ve never been, there's no place like Shangri La. It's the former home of Doris Duke, an immensely generous, creative and unique patron of the arts, supporter of the environment and champion of creating a more just world for children, families, flora and fauna. She was the sole force behind Shangri La, creating the home when she was in her 20s, collecting and commissioning art from regions of North Africa, Central, South and Southeast Asia throughout her lifetime.  

The museum has a a track record of innovative and inspiring residencies, programs and events that boost Shangri La as a place of personal and societal transformation. Our celebration of Nature, Art and Native Knowledge on June 24 was no exception. Guests included artists, innovators, students, teachers, cultural and indigenous practitioners, and other community leaders who are passionate about creating sustainable futures. Guests were welcomed with an opening protocol from Marques Hanalei Marzan, cultural advisor at Honolulu’s Bishop Museum and renowned fiber artist, and by Meredith Artley, interim executive director and executive in residence of Shangri La.  

The purpose of the event was twofold:  

• Bring together artists, indigenous practitioners, innovators and other community leaders to discuss reciprocity and Hawaii's lessons for the world when it comes to climate, conservation and maintaining and protecting Hawaii’s unique native knowledge, culture, history and biodiversity. 
• Integrate Shangri La more deeply into the environment and sustainability goals of DDF’s broader mission by collaborating across the entire Doris Duke Foundation, learning together, working together, and playing together with a synergized and shared aim of operating as one foundation for a creative, equitable and sustainable future. 

“There's room at the climate table for more than just carbon.  While the urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable, we must be careful not to overlook the other critical aspects that demand our collective and comprehensive attention.  We are in a moment of mass extinction. Focusing solely on carbon risks neglecting the preservation of nature and biodiversity, crucial not only for our survival but also to the world's beauty and abundance.  We need to make space for diversity, of species and human voices in these vital conversations. Whether academics, artists, organizers, elders, or students, convening individuals with passion, wisdom, respect and connections to nature is essential for creating sustainable futures.” 

 - Margaret Waldock, Executive Director, Duke Farms 

Key learnings from the event include:  

• Hawaii and Native Hawaiian knowledge on sustainability can be a model for the rest of the world. The discussion at Shangri La emphasized that nature, art and native knowledge is intrinsically linked – and one cannot be easily separated from the other. Native Hawaiian models of community leadership and sustainability are key models for the rest of the world in our increasingly critical conversations about restoration, sustainability, and biodiversity. 
• There's room at the climate and nature table. Even though there are many "climate" conversations these days (we just had a great one at Duke Farms on Climate Investing, check out this post from Leena Bhutta, Chief Investment Officer of Doris Duke Foundation) it's very much a topic that is broad enough and urgent enough to create meaningful dialogue by bringing people from diverse backgrounds and experiences together. From academics to artists, to nonprofit executives and even students, the group that was convened for this event exhibited the passion, respect and dedication that will be required In creating more sustainable futures. 

“We all have stories and all our stories deserve to be heard. We deserve to tell our own stories” 

- Ualani Davis, Artist and Educator at Kamehameha Schools, #8x8_shangrila_22 artist 

• Small convenings can spark big conversations. There were approximately 50 people in attendance, with an incredible guest list that included Dawn Lippert, Ethan Cary, Stuart Coleman, Kamran Samimi, Elyse Butler and students from Earth Justice. This focused approach allowed for more intimate and active discussion and created space for the audience to connect with each other. Ideas that were mentioned and connections that were made at this event might create a spark to make great change in Hawai’i and beyond. 

“We, the big, big we, have failed to take care of the land. We are only going to be healthy as people if the land is healthy.” 

 - Todd Apo, Vice President of Community Partnerships and Public Affairs, Hawaii Community Foundation 

• Places matter. Shangri La is a place of great art, architecture, and natural beauty. We met in the Playhouse, a structure based on a 17th century royal pavilion, the  Chehel Sotoon in Isfahan,Iran with the windows open, the sound of the crashing ocean waves, and the light streaking through the trees and reflecting off the pool. Drinks and food from Mud Hen Water, a little bit of rain (a blessing) and a rainbow just before sunset once again demonstrated Shangri La's power as a place for personal and societal transformation. It was paramount to us to host this event at Shangri La, in this place unlike any other. The flora, fauna, and rich biodiversity is unique, but Hawaii is also identified as the extinction capital of the world.  

“For 40 years, I’ve been enchanted by and heartbroken by the native plants and animals of Hawaiʻi. And I think it’s because the species of Hawaiʻi, they are the survivors.” 

 - David Wilcove, Professor of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Public Affairs, Princeton University and Doris Duke Foundation Trustee

 “If one person can make a horrific difference and change the lives of people, then one person can make an amazing difference and change lives and infrastructure response to climate.” 

- Suzanne Vares-Lum, President, The East-West Center 

We are grateful for everyone who joined us for Nature, Art & Native Culture, and we look forward to hosting more critical conversations here in the future.  

For more images and info, check out our "Shangri Log" blog, or follow Doris Duke Foundation, Duke Farms or Shangri La on Instagram.

 Panelists and Moderators:  

Todd Apo - Vice President of Community Partnerships and Public Affairs, Hawaii Community Foundation 

Kevin Chang – Executive Director, KUA 

Ualani Davis - Artist and Educator at Kamehameha Schools, # 8x8_shangrila_22 artist 

Marques Hanalei Marzan – Cultural Advisor and The Wayne Pitluck & Judith Pyle Curator for Cultural Resilience, Bishop Museum 

Brandy Nalani McDougall - Author, Literary Activist, Associate professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the Hawai'i State Poet Laureate 

Sacha Spector – Program Director for the Environment, Doris Duke Foundation 

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum – President, The East-West Center 

Margaret Waldock – Executive Director, Duke Farms 

David S. Wilcove - Professor of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Public Affairs, Princeton University and Doris Duke Foundation Trustee 

The teams that made Nature, Art and Native Knowledge possible: 

Meredith Artley – Interim Executive Director, Executive-in-Residence, Shangri La 

Mike Bellaus – Manager of Habitat Restoration, Duke Farms 

Nora Schnure – Deputy Executive Director of Personnel & Programs, Duke Farms 

Tiffany L. – Communications Officer, Doris Duke Foundation  

Lea Major – Deputy Executive Director, Shangri La  

Nahed Minawi – Public Programs and Events Coordinator, Shangri La 

Navid Najafi – Associate Curator of Programs and Social Practice, Shangri La 

Giovonni Parks – Communications Specialist, Shangri La 

Kristin Remington – Associate Curator of User Experience (U/X), Shangri La 

Sacha Spector – Program Director for the Environment 

Jon Wagar – Deputy Executive Director of Operations & Sustainability, Duke Farms 

Margaret Waldock – Executive Director, Duke Farms 

William Wilson – Manager of Public Engagement, Duke Farms 

 #climatechange #biodiversity #art #Hawaii