Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana – Details, episodes & analysis

Step into the heart of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing environmental and cultural conversations with Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana, hosted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

In each episode, we explore the intricate balance of conservation and community, diving deep into the challenges, triumphs, and innovative strategies shaping Hawaiʻi’s land, waters, and heritage. With topics ranging from climate resilience and wildlife preservation to cultural stewardship and community engagement, listeners gain unparalleled insight into the kuleana (responsibility) of safeguarding Hawaiʻi for current and future generations.

Join us as we bridge policy and practice and celebrate the people dedicated to protecting the islands we call home. Whether you live here, love to visit, or simply love nature, Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana offers inspiration, education, and a call to action for all.

He wa'a he moku, he moku he wa'a. “The canoe is an island, and the island is a canoe.” Subscribe to learn more about the Hawaii DLNR today!

Our first episode of Hawaiʻi Conservation Kuleana features the top leadership of the Hawaii DLNR, Chair Dawn Chang and First Deputy Ryan Kanakaʻole. Hear about their roles at DLNR, the experiences that have shaped them throughout their careers and what inspires them to be leaders in the community.

In this episode, we feature the leaders of the Division of Aquatic Resources. Luna Kekoa and Brian Neilson share how personal experiences shape their values and fuel their drive to protect Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters. From adapting generational knowledge to modern science, to building trust with local communities they reveal how DAR is shifting its approach to ensure thriving fisheries for generations to come. It's not just about managing resources—it's about relationships, respect, and responsibility. 

In honor of National Historic Preservation Month, we talk story with SHPD’s Jessica Puff and Susan Lebo about protecting Hawaiʻi’s cultural treasures—from Lahaina’s historic structures to iwi kūpuna. Discover why preservation matters, how you can get involved, and what makes Hawaiʻi’s heritage so unique. As our theme music by Kawika Kahiapo says: Preserve what we have. It’s our future.

In this episode of Hawaii Conservation Kuleana, DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla shares his personal journey, from growing up in Kalihi to leading Hawaii’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. Chief Redulla provides an insider’s look into the vital work of DOCARE officers, their role in protecting Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources, and the challenges they face on the front lines of conservation law enforcement.

Learn about the critical issues facing the division, including illegal fishing practices like lay nets and hunting violations, and hear firsthand how DOCARE officers enforce both state and federal conservation laws to protect Hawaii’s unique environment.

With his deep understanding of the balance between cultural practices and modern conservation laws, Redulla discusses the importance of respecting wildlife and educating the public on how to be good stewards of the land and sea. Join us for this insightful conversation about the kuleana we all share in protecting Hawaii’s precious natural heritage.

In this episode of Hawaii Conservation Kuleana, we sit down with Meghan Statts, the Administrator, and Todd Tashima, the Assistant Administrator, of the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). 

Join us for an engaging conversation about the challenges and opportunities DOBOR faces, including staffing shortages, emerging water sports, and the ongoing effort to maintain and improve Hawaii's harbor facilities. Learn about the work being done behind the scenes to ensure a sustainable future for ocean recreation in Hawaiʻi.

Join us for a conversation with the leadership of the Division of State Parks: Administrator Curt Cottrell and Assistant Administrator Alan Carpenter. Cottrell and Carpenter share their career journeys that brought them to the Division. Learn the backstory of managing Hawaiʻi state parks and the significant community partnerships that help protect our precious cultural sites.

In this episode, we sit down with leaders from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to explore the immense responsibility of managing and protecting some of the most precious natural and cultural resources in the islands. From the highest mountain ridges to remote offshore seabird sanctuaries, DOFAW stewards roughly a quarter of Hawai‘i’s land mass — safeguarding native forests, endangered species, and vital watersheds that sustain life in the islands. DOFAW Administrator David Smith and Oʻahu Branch Manager Marigold Zoll take us behind the scenes into the day-to-day challenges and triumphs of their work.