In ʻolelo Hawaiʻi, kuleana is defined as a right, privilege, concern, or responsibility. “Finding Our Kuleana” is a collection of stories of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa students who are finding their purpose and sense of responsibility beyond themselves. They are creating, inventing, and changing the way they see and interact with our world. As a university, we are collectively and individually working toward finding our kuleana — our own sense of purpose and service — that we bring to our community, to our profession, to our students, to our campus, our planet, and to ourselves.
Meet Kahealani – Within the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Kahealani connects to her Native Hawaiian identity in a very purposeful way. She is exploring ways to heal our food systems by producing foods from Hawai‘i through organic and regenerative practices. As a farmer, she nourishes people not only through food, but knowledge to reconnect people to the idea of aloha ‘āina.
Client: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Executive Producer: Jennel Sesoko, Office of the Provost
Advisor: Abigail Huliganga Hurgo, Office of Admissions
Advisor: Dyan Kleckner, UH Communications
Advisor / Photographer: Jose Magno, Office of Admissions
Blufish
Writer: Jo Archibald
1001 Stories
Writer / Director / DP : Johnathan Walk
Editor / Animation / SFX: Kaeo Kepani
Graphic Designer: Kaho Otake
Music: Johnny Helm
Production Coordinator: Darrin Kaneshiro
Gaffer/Grip: Zachary Tom
Special Thanks:
Kahealani Acosta
Dolly Autufugua
Paul Santiago
William Sirabis
Dean Nicholas Comerford, CTAHR
Dr. Anna Wieczorek, CTAHR
Dr. Tai Maaz, CTAHR
Mark Berthold, CTAHR
Craig Okazaki, Magoon Research Station
Richard Mercado, Poamoho Research Station
Aunty Kukui Maunakea-Forth, MAʻO Farms
Gary Maunakea-Forth, MAʻO Farms
Chelsie Onaga, MAʻO Farms
Cheryse Kaui Sana, MAʻO Farms
MAʻO Farms Staff