Kaimi Kaupiko
Name Kaimi Kaupiko
Social Media Kaimi Namaielua Kaupiko | Facebook
Age 38
Town/Moku South Kona, Milolii
Island Hawaiʻi Island
Leadership Category Mālama ʻĀina - Environmental Sustainability
Nominated by Kevin Chang
Share with us a little about yourself and what you do. Aloha kakou, I am from Milolii, one of Hawaii's last sustainable fishing villages. I have been living in Milolii for the past 12 years. I first came home to help support my ohana in their business, but I eventually came back to help the community in regards to supporting the keiki with projects and programs. Eventually that lead to our community enrolling into the Kua o ka La Charter School virtual program called Hipu'u. I have been supporting the program since 2012, first as volunteer, then as a board member, and for the past five years as a Kumu for social studies. The work has been fulfilling as I am able to give back to the keiki by providing a space for them to learn, also to build on the cultural foundation for our Lahui, and for our students to continue the practices that has sustain our people for generations which includes a deep pilina to aloha 'aina. I also work with Alu Like as a project specialist to help the youths with social emotional learning. As a community leader I have worked with many different issues that have faced our people which include health, wellness, culture, education, financial, and most critical the work that relates to the ocean and the stewardship to take care of this important resource. Thus, that is why I am support the development of the Milolii CBSFA (Community Based Substance Fishing Area).
Why is the work that you do important to you? The community? The work for Milolii is critical for many reasons. Most important is that we following the guidance of our kupuna. The transfer of knowledge has continued to inspire us to take a stand for our place and start to take action to preserve our natural resources. The nearshore fisheries have been under constant attach from many different users, this pressure is causing a decline in what was once an abundance of fish and other resources, Therefore, the work I do is critical because our ohana depends on the fish to feed our families. The kuleana we are doing to create rules, pu'uhonua's (nursery), bag limits, and gear restrictions are part of a bigger plan to manage the 18.6 miles of coastline that we call home. Eventually our goal is to hopefully see the return to 'aina momana (fat lands) this idea that we can restore our coastline be returning to the konohiki system of mauka to makai and to create that balance has lead me to work everyday to see that the Milolii CBSFA will get to the finish line. This will allow our community to be able to co-manage and have a space at our table. All we can do is try, and this is the best way we can advocate for our self and start to take leadership of our beloved Milolii.
Share with us the qualities of leadership you admire and how you express those in your life. There is so many different qualities that I can share but here is a few that stick out to me. The first quality is to be humble or ha'aha'a. This is such an important quality to have because most times we are under so much pressure, we don't need to add more to our already busy schedule. But todays world causes a-lot of unnecessary problems, but by having ha'aha'a we are able to stay focus especially with the task at hand. Another important quality is kuluana, since I was young I was given so much responsibilities. As the oldest sibling I took on this kulena with pride and devotion. I knew by stepping up to the plate I not only make my ohana proud but I learn valuable lessons, especially when their are difficult times. Finally, the last quality is mahalo i ke mea loa'a, be thankful for everything. This is one quality we can share enough of. As a kanaka we are raised around the ohana, and we start to understand that for us to be able to achieve anything in life we need to truly be thankful. All of these traits can be taught at home, by being thankful, taking responsibilities and to always do that in a humble way will get us farther along in world.
Who has inspired you to do the work that you are doing? My tutu, she remains a constant reminder that we can do all things if we put ke akua first, we work hard each day, we stay humble, and we pay attention and listen. These values have made me stronger and have given me hope we can all make a difference in the community we live in.
What is one word that describes something you are excited about for the lāhui? resiliency
What is one word that describes a pressing issue that is facing our lāhui? housing