The ancient native Hawaiians were environmentalist in the truest form. They did not protest or lobby congress. No driving fuel efficient cars to make a statement or National forest to prevent people from clear cutting.
The Native Hawaiian understood that they needed to preserve their natural resources. They lived their daily lives in a manner that today would be considered environmentalist. Hawaiians lived "Pono" (with respect and righteousness). By living in righteousness they believed they would be blessed by fertile lands and sea.
Hawaiians managed their resources from the mountains to the sea. They needed the mountain valleys for fresh water and crops. The used the ocean to fish. The Hawaiians were so in tune with their environment that they managed their resources in such a way that they would be around into perpetuity.
Hawaiian's were among other thing aqua culturists. They built fish ponds and raised fish along the coast line and in the bays of our islands. Their ingenious techniques are being recreated today. Several groups are in the process of restoring the few remaining ancient Hawaiian fish ponds. Being going back to the past people today are learning how to better take care of our limited natural resources.
In more modern times King Kamehameha III (1825 -1854) spoke the famous words which became our Hawaii's state motto: "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono", translated to mean: The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
Lucky we live in paradise, we hope to keep it that way. Aloha Aina!
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