The Hawaiian rainfed field systems were a monumental feat that were sustained for hundreds of years. Specific practices are investigated to inform modern, low-input agriculture.

Examination of the Hawaiian dryland field systems

The vast rainfed systems of Hawai‘i and Maui Islands were an amazing achievement. These continental-scale developments were highly intensive, and sustained for hundreds of years without the use of external inputs or legume crops. In partnership with reserachers from several other disciplines, Noa currently examines (1) the role of micro-topography on nutrient distribution and the adaptation of agricultural infrastructure to those variations, (2) the impact of field walls on long-term soil moisture and its influence on soil pH and nitrogen availability, and (3) specific practices associated with nitrogen maintenance.

These traditional systems are unique in the world in that they sustained intensive production in the tropics for hundreds of years. In rediscovering the practices associated with these systems we not only gain a better understanding of the past, but also gain practical knowledge of how to design better agricultural systems in the present.

A fence meant to exclude ungulates and protect native plant restoration. A long-term study examines ecosystem dynamics within various exclosures across the state.

Environmental Restoration and Conservation

Noa has worked with dozens of organizations on conservation and restoration monitoring including the National Parks, The Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Bishop Museum, the University of Hawaii, and Stanford University. Working to restore rare and endangered native plants has been a priority goal of Noa’s early work, and continued efforts to monitor and examine the assumed effectiveness of those restoration projects has resulted in a refinement of processes for continued management.

Projects have included ecosystem dynamics, outplanting survivability and growth rates, and cost-benefit analysis of different restoration techniques. Long-term observations have provided insights into the overall effectiveness of publicly funded restoration projects on private lands. The results, unfortunately, show that in most cases short-term active restoration is highly ineffective, while passive or long-term active techniques can greatly improve both effectiveness and efficiency.

A redwood tree growing in a test forestry plot in Hawai’i. Studies in this area have resulted in management recommendations that maximize broad goals such as biodiversity, economics, and ecosystem services.

Agroforestry and Forest Management

Using various test forestry establishments across the diverse climate of Hawai’i Noa has examined how multiple benefits can be derived from the management of forestry operations. The impact species selection in forestry operations has profound impacts on sub-canopy diversity, animal diversity, soil properties, as well as the obvious economic implications. Balancing the economic benefits with the environmental ones can produce more profitable situations for land owners willing to engage in mixed-management efforts.

Utilizing an international network Noa has used his research to consult on carbon management techniques for organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, producing in depth reports on measurement techniques and costs, risk management strategies, and multiple benefit indicators.

The agricultural infrastructure of pre-European Hawaii represents a unique development path of agriculture by Polynesian people.

GIS Mapping of Kona Archeology

Utilizing a network of academic and professional archeologist Noa has initiated projects aimed at bringing together various data sources to map the archeology of Kona at a landscape level. Kona was the most politically important region of pre-European Hawaii, housing the most important chiefs, and yet our understanding of this area is based on individual investigations typically at the parcel level. Noa uses networking and grant writing to bring together the disparate sources of information into a coherent and useful database.

Using this archeological information, along with further ground surveys, scientific experimentation, and anecdotal evidence Noa examines the landscape level impact that Hawaii society and practices has on the environment. Noa has used this data to redefine the location of traditional planting zones, and contribute to agricultural production models of both the past and the present. This information is used in a wide range of circles, from cultural ethnologists to agricultural managers to government decision makers.

Sugarcane cuttings ready for planting to examine how traditional Hawaiian agriculture operated in the myriad of ecosystems that Hawaii offered early farmers.

Ethnobotany and Indigenous Agriculture

Traditional Hawaiian agriculture represents a unique development in Polynesia, and a unique agricultural pathway in the world. The Hawaiians interaction with their environment, which differed considerably from the small and older islands elsewhere in the Pacific, produced intensive agricultural systems that are still not understood by modern science. The intensity and sustained production of these systems still cannot adequately be explained. It is believed that the Hawaiians sustained a population on the Big Island that is similar to today, and yet today vast majority (85%) of the food is imported to the island, and the food that is grow on island uses inputs such as chemical fertilizers. Obviously there is something to the learned form the past here.

Noa examines traditional wisdoms, and using modern science tests the impacts that seemingly small decisions can have on the agricultural landscape. The results, quite simply, and profound. Tiny choices and bits of wisdom from the ancient Hawaiians can have hugely important ramifications for the sustainability and production of these systems.

A Moari elder shares his thoughts on modern resource management in New Zealand. The environmental choices of the country have decimated traditional food sources. .

Personal Values and Land Use

How do individuals make decisions about private land use? This is a question Noa has long pondered, and has recently began to question in a more rigorous way. Working with individuals and organizations to understand what really drives us to change our landscapes. Using interviews and surveys Noa has highlighted unintuitive drivers of land use. While large scale changes are largely economic, where it is possible most every person and organization is more than willing to trade off some economic revenue to enhance other aspects of the landscape. These non-economic values can further be promoted by governments or other social organizations through education of history or environment, promotion of community values, or direct compensation. Furthermore communities themselves can be powerful feedback mechanisms to promote a specific landscape...in essence peer pressure works!

Our landscapes are more important to us than we realize, and provide an importance sense of identity and place. A person who identifies with their landscape will be happier, will have more friends, and will be more likely to engage in its protection.

A hydroelectric plant provides electricity, but also has environmental, social, and cultural benefits and costs. Balancing these multiple bottom lines is a challenge.

Management Decision Analysis

The values of the western society has been, for some time, focused on money. Westerners are only realizing now what has been traded off in order to obtain monetary wealth. Working with indigenous organizations Noa has aided in developing new ways of thinking and accompanying management tools to make management decisions in a more holistic manner. These management tools can be used to examine the tradeoffs between social, environmental, cultural, and economic benefits.

The ultimate goal is to realize that in many cases tradeoffs are not needed, and that innovative thinking and decision making can promote social, environmental, and economic goals at the same time. The first step is to start thinking about the other types of benefits and not simply economic ones, which the promotion of these types of tools is helping various organizations and individuals to accomplish. .

Agriculture is the backbone of traditional cultures, and the one industry that will likely never be abandoned. How do we reform a sacred link with our food and the land that produces it?

Agricultural Production and Ecological Impacts

Food is essential to all people, and while the green revolution has greatly increased the worlds food supply it has come with a price. The world has greatly lost diversity of crops, particularly different varieties of individuals crops. Even more so we have lost a large fraction of our planting systems. Essentially we are putting all of our eggs into one basket...literally. There has also been considerable damage to the environment and societies. Perhaps worst of all many people argue that we have lost our sacred connection to food...something that used to be spiritual in nature and used to bring people together.

Working through advocacy and consulting Noa has promoted a return to more sustainable and socially responsible methods of food production, while using public education and community outreach to promote a change in values around food.