154th Annual Meeting

As you prepare for your trip to Honolulu and the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, we want to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and respectful. Hawaiʻi isn’t simply a tourist spot; it’s a region with diverse biocultural traditions and ecosystems that merit our highest regard and attention. With its deeply entrenched Indigenous culture, respecting Kānaka, or native Hawaiian traditions and customs is crucial when visiting. One meaningful way to honor the Kānaka Maoli during your stay and demonstrate your respect as a guest is:

Immerse Yourself in the History

Delve into the depths of the past and current events to understand its significance. There is no better time to do that than this May, as May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month established in 2021. This presents an opportunity to delve into the history of settler colonialism in Hawai’i and its ongoing impact on Kānaka Maoli today, spanning various sectors such as tourism, militarization, and natural resource management. 

Please invest the time to grasp how tourism frequently objectifies Kānaka Maoli. This will empower you to avoid unintentionally perpetuating these issues. One resource that we suggest is Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawai’i, a book that shifts readers’ focus away from the fantasy of Hawai‘i as merely a tropical paradise and tourist destination, guiding them toward a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Hawai‘i’s culture and intricate history. 

For further insight into impacts on Kānaka Maoli, check out Chris Colin’s article “Hawai’i Is Not Our Playground.“ This article is the writer’s narrative highlighting how past events interweave with today, covering topics such as the importance of understanding imperial history in promoting respectful visitor behavior, settler science, Western framing of land as a resource, and important contemporary issues. 

To further increase your historical understanding, one resource we suggest exploring is “‘Onipa’a Kākou: Native Hawaiians’ resilience through centuries of exploitation,” which provides a brief timeline of events from the formation of the sovereign state Ke Aupuni O Hawai‘i to its occupation and modern-day resistance against injustice and violent land displacement with links to explore key events further. 

We urge you to delve into the profound transformation of the second cultural renaissance.

As you prepare for your trip to the 154th American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, we want to ensure your enjoyable and respectful experience. Hawai‘i isn’t simply a tourist spot; it’s a region with diverse biocultural traditions and ecosystems that merit our highest regard and attention. With its deeply entrenched Indigenous culture, respecting Kānaka Maoli, or native Hawaiian traditions and customs, is crucial when visiting. One meaningful way to honor the Kānaka Maoli during your stay and demonstrate your respect as a guest is to:

Learn the language, ʻŌlelo Hawai‘i’ 

As scientists, we are lifelong learners and communicators, continually integrating and connecting dynamic ecosystem processes and finding meaning. The Respectful Meetings Working Group (RMWG) encourages AFS attendees to learn ʻŌlelo Hawai‘i, the Indigenous language of Ka Pae ʻĀina (Hawai‘i), to promote linguistic diversity in science and a more culturally attuned visit. Hawai‘i is one of three U.S. states where the official languages (ʻŌlelo Hawai‘i and English) include an Indigenous language. When English is the only language emphasized in scientific fields, it can limit understanding of other cultural perspectives, knowledge, experiences, and relationships with the natural world. In Hawai‘i, the use of names and the general structure of the language has deep cultural ties that, through learning, can enhance your experience as a meeting participant and visitor to the Islands. 

Knowing which resources are authentic and most efficient to learn from can be hard. Guided by discussions and resources provided by Dr. Noelani Puniwai, Professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and keynote speaker, the RMWG warmly suggests the following learning platforms:

• Duolingo is a cost-free mobile app. In 2018, Kamehameha Schools and Kanaeokana, a network of over 70 Hawaiian language, culture, and ʻāina-based schools and organizations, partnered with Duolingo to generate learning modules. This game-themed language learning app can be added to your phone to learn ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi before the meeting.
• A series of free YouTube videos have been produced by Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, a kumu (teacher) of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Kamehameha High School Kapālama campus and native of Kewalo Uka, Kona, O‘ahu. Related supplementary language comprehension and use materials are available on Instagram @ehoopilimai.

We invite everyone to take advantage of these resources and embark on a journey of learning and respect for culture.

Native Hawaiian-owned Businesses & Attractions

With thanks to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), the Kanaka Economic Development Alliance, Kuhikuhi, and Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA).

Honolulu attracts tourists from all over the world. While tourism can bring benefits to local people and communities, it can also create harm that disproportionately affects Native Hawaiians. One prominent example of this are hula shows put on by non-Hawaiians for tourists in Waikiki, which appropriate Native Hawaiian culture for profit. The American Fisheries Society’s Respectful Meetings Working Group worked with the CNHA and KUA, and utilized lists from Kuhikuhi and the Kanaka Development Alliance, to find authentic, culturally appropriate attractions, shops, and restaurants that we hope you will consider visiting instead. These locations are also indicated on our area map.

Cultural Attractions: 

• Royal Hawaiian Centre (0.8 miles) – Free cultural lessons and activities daily with Hawaiian music and hula in the evenings

• And You Creations Tour Company (0.8 miles)

• Waikiki Tour Company (0.9 miles)

• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Malaya Aloha Evening Hula Show and Dinner (1.8 miles)

• Iolani Palace (3.1 miles)

Food and Restaurants:

• Moani Waikiki (1 mile)

• Hana Koa Brewing Co (1.5 miles)

• The Manifest (Cafe, Cocktail Bar, Night Club)  (2.27 miles)

• Bubbly & Bleu (3.2 miles)

• Bar Leather Apron – Award-winning kanaka maoli mixologist Justin Park is the co-founder and co-owner of this upscale craft cocktail bar, whichJustin Park is a kanaka maoli, award-winning mixologist who is the co-founder/co-owner of this upscale craft cocktail bar. It was recently awarded “most outstanding bar” by the James Beard Foundation and resembles the craft cocktail spots of Tokyo. Make reservations to sit at the bar— because watching these experts bartenders mix your drink is truly something to behold, a display of Hawaiian excellence and innovation. Order the E Ho‘o Pau Mai Tai (named world’s best mai tai a few years back), or the signature BLA Old Fashioned to start off.

• Feté – Named best chef for the Northwest and Pacific region, co-owner Robynne Maii is the first Native Hawaiian woman to win a James Beard Award. My go-to bougie business meal order: the smoked ono club with crispy potatoes and a Fête 75, a spin on a French 75 with elderflower liqueur and cucumber.

• The Daley – Led by Native Hawaiian restaurateur Danny Kaaialiii, the Daley makes my favorite smash burger in the state. It’s got Hawaii-grown, grass-fed beef on a bun that is soft and firm at the same time—just like your favorite pillow. Wash it down with one of the locally-brewed, craft beers on tap.

• Pizza Mamo – There is nothing authentically Hawaiian aboutby putting ham and pineapples on a pizza. Both of these ingredientspork and pineapples were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. (Facts!) Much respect to Pizza Mamo for not supporting a false narrative of “Hawaiian pizza.” Instead, you’ll find pies made with organic flour like the Detroit’s Sausage & Pesto, which is what we call “ono loa” (very delicious).

Retail Shopping:

• Kealopiko Shop (2.2 miles) Clothing, home goods, accessories

• Nā Mea Hawai’i (1.6 miles) – Showcases the work of local artists and crafters from the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Native Hawaiian artists

• Native Books (3.5 miles) – Features the largest selection of Hawaiian and Pacific Island books and resources in the Hawaiian Islands. The written word was first introduced here by the missionaries in 1820, and Native Hawaiians embraced reading and writing to the extent that the Hawaiian Kingdom boasted a 91% literacy rate by 1832. Native Books celebrates this tradition with its focus on carrying every book in print about any aspect of Hawai’i.
• No’eau Designers (23 miles) – Features made-in-Hawai’i artists and products, including clothing, jewelry, accessories, bath and body products, musical instruments, and more

• Sig On Smith – Forget what you think you know about Hawaiian shirts and level-up your style with the authentic aloha designsshirt from Sig On Smith. This brand was founded on Hawaii Island by Sig Zane, a surfer, fisherman, hula dancer, and artist who aims to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture through his clothing designs. Sig on Smith is his only location on Oahu (and a heads up, it’s only open on Fridays).

• Kaiao Space – This art gallery is right next to Sig on Smith and curated by the same team, featuring avant-garde artists from around the state. “Kaiao” has a very specific meaning, translating to “the time before the sun peeks above the horizon, when the skies are lit with morning colors, the air is crisp, and the day is new,” and the art here has that same fresh energy.

Online Vendors:

• Pop-Up Mākeke