Staff Spotlight: Michael T. Newman

Meet Michael T. Newman, the Visual Information Media Specialist for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park!

Kupaianaha eruption in 1991 a few miles outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Photo courtesy of Michael Newman

How did you find yourself at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?

The volcanic coastline of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park served as the backdrop for many of my most precious memories as a child. I came by extensive knowledge of the land from older generations and spent countless hours observing the unimaginable power of lava pouring into the sea. My fondest memory would have to be driving in the back seat of my uncle’s old truck to go fishing. We would walk to the edge of the sea cliffs and I would watch him methodically rig his handline with an eel. Unlike conventional fishing methods, this was a traditional style of fishing known as maʻamaʻa. This knowledge was passed down multiple generations from him to me. Like a cowboy ready to lasso a bull, he casted his handline off the cliffs. He whipped the line across the surface of the ocean until he hooked a giant trevally. In a way I found myself at the national park before I even knew it.

Striving to make a positive impact on the community as a Park Guide by providing a ranger program.

NPS Photo/H.Kroesing

What do you do for the NPS?

Currently, I work as the Visual Information Specialist for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The national park protects some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,681 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa - and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. I love creating interpretive signs and digital media about park resources. It is critical that we have difficult conversations about environmental degradation and how we can protect our resources for future generations.

I started my career with the National Park Service as a volunteer. After a year, I was offered an internship through a Kupu AmeriCorps Vista program. The internship opportunity was a life-changing experience. I helped visitors within the park to view eruptions, and shared my love for conservation and the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian culture. I attended conservation service projects with the Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project, Natural Area Reserves System in Maui, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll in Papahānaumokuākea)! Having such a great experience, I was motivated to continue my career and transitioned to a park guide. This position allowed me to learn about other amazing opportunities and careers in the NPS.

NPS Photo/J.Wei

This landscape is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, stories and traditions in the past, present, and future.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

The best part of my job are the small, often nameless moments. It is the time that I spend smiling with a visitor, or simply seeing the positive impact rangers make on the landscape over time. Although I spent my entire life in the park, I still enjoy exploring and learning about our amazing resources.

Sharing my experiences with others, and helping them make a connection to this park through visual and digital media is what drives me. I hope to continue to tell the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and their roles in the NPS.

Ranger Michael sharing his knowledge of Hawaiian practices to the next generation of youth; sharing unique and powerful perspectives that can,  and will, continue to change the world.

NPS Photo/C. Meyers

What is the importance of recognizing cultural diversity? How do you perpetuate cultural practices?

As a multi-ethnic person, I grew to appreciate many cultures because it gave me a unique sense of perspective. Hawai’i is one of the most racially diverse places in the world and it helped me realize that diversity inspires unity and togetherness. Although I am not Native Hawaiian, Polynesian culture has played an important role in my life. From the arrival of foreigners to Hawaiʻi to the present day, the Native Hawaiian culture and population has been largely suppressed and has struggled to survive. Cultural resilience is about maintaining traditional practices in an everchanging world. For example, in regards to language it is often said, "it takes one generation to lose a language and three generations to recover it."

What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?

A beautiful and evocative Hawaiian saying says, “Nānā ka maka; ho‘olohe ka pepeiao; hana ka lima." It means observe with the eyes; listen with the ears; work with the hands. The kauna or hidden meaning of this saying is that observing and listening is not enough and that you must help to get a task done.

I highly recommend that youth or young adults interested in a career opportunity with the National Park Service seek out internships or volunteer opportunities. Get motivated, and stay motivated! It is a perfect way to gain valuable experiences, and contribute to a place that is important to you. Developing a focus and a crystal-clear perspective of your goals in the park is imperative to get a position in the NPS.