Akoakoa Blouse
He kani ka mua, he kupaa i kai koo! The first one is tough, stands strong in rough seas!
The akoakoa (coral) is the very first organism born in the Kumulipo and has the ability to remain strong and steadfast in rough ocean conditions. E ka poe oiwi, we must also do the same. When things get rough, we must remain steadfast to what we know is right and defend that which is most important to our survival - our aina and kai. Unchecked capitalism is causing environmental changes that compromise the health of the world's coral reefs. As ocean temperatures rise, so to does the threat of increased coral bleaching in the reefs of the northwestern and the main Hawaiian islands. About 25% of the roughly 150 species of corals in Hawaiian waters are endemic. The reefs formed by lobe corals and other "stony" species are home to over 9,000 species of invertebrates and more than 7,000 of these are endemic! For many lahui, these reefs are a major part of our natural and cultural heritages. Losing corals, reefs, and the organisms in them would mean losing cultural relationships that were forged by our ancestors over thousands of years. E ao kakou! Let's get educated and help to preserve so that we can continue to practice. To learn about "the last large-scale predator-dominated coral reef ecosystem on the planet" go to: papahaunaumokuakea.gov.
$40.00
