Pacific Island Women Speak for Their Home Reefs During the summer of 2018, three Pacific Island undergraduate interns were selected to work on a coral reef conservation project. Through their internships with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES), where they each worked on coral reef projects at National Parks in the Pacific, they produced a video that highlighted the importance of imperiled coral reefs. Their filmmaking experience? “We had none,” said Yubee Isaac, then an environmental science student from Palau. What they had was a cultural connection to the reef. The video, and their deep respect for the reef, would be for their island communities. Though each of their island cultures have a different name for the concept, the reciprocal act of accepting individual responsibility to care for the land because the land will provide shelter and food for you, dominates. But there was more to face. “There was some culture shock,” Isaac said, who led the video project. “In the Palauan culture, youth are taught not to speak up in class as a sign of respect for their teachers. This, and learning to communicate in English were barriers for me. I had to get out of my shell and learn to present my ideas. I had to confront my fears and work through them.” 
After their PIPES orientation in Hawai‘i, the trio embedded themselves at coral reef National Parks in the Pacific. Isaac studied endangered Hawaiian monk seals at Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Molokai, Hawai’i. Elizabeth “Claudia” Thompson worked on invasive bubble algae that smothers corals on Ofu Island at National Park of American Samoa. Hannah White focused on communication, interpretation and community outreach at War in the Pacific National Historical Park on her home island of Guam. They snorkeled, shot footage and photos, recorded data, gave presentations and connected with the local community, visitors and students. “It was electric and fast-paced and we still found time to cultivate life-long friendships and networks that summer,” Thompson said. The trio focused on the video’s key messages. “Coral reefs occur in only one percent of the ocean, yet are home to 25 percent of all marine species,” they said. “Reef systems are invaluable and they are in decline world-wide. The stress factors are human-caused: warming sea temperatures, pollution, and overfishing, to name a few.” The seven-minute video is entitled Conserving Coral Reefs in the Pacific and will be released during Earth Week (April 20-26). 
“While the problems facing coral reefs are deeply concerning, the fact that humans are the cause means that humans can be the solution,” White said. Thompson said, “Nurturing and stewardship is in our bones as women of the Pacific Islands. We are deeply connected to the land and the sea. There is no separation.” “The Pacific Islands are the canary in the coal mine for our changing climate,” White said. “We are experiencing it now and we need the global community’s help.” Can other young women, young Pacific Island women make a difference? Thompson, Isaac and White believe it. “We say, ‘Girl, go for it!’ You are the one who will make a difference. You have the strength and power. You have the support of all Pacific Island women, you are not alone.” |
Last updated: March 22, 2020