Understanding the co-evolutionary relationships between Indigenous cultures and non-native species can inform more effective approaches to conservation: the example of pigs (pua’a; Sus scrofa) in Hawai‘i
Kūpa‘a K. Luat-Hū‘eu
A H , Kawika B. Winter A B C D , Mehana B. Vaughan A E F , Nicolai Barca G and Melissa R. Price A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 1910 East-West Road, Sherman Laboratory Room 101, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
B Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kane‘ohe, HI 96744, USA.
C National Tropical Botanical Garden, 3530 Papalina Road, Kalaheo, HI 96714, USA.
D Hawaii Conservation Alliance, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848-1601, USA.
E University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
F Hui ‘Āina Momona, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
G The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i, 923 Nu‘uanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA.
H Corresponding author. Email: kupaalh@hawaii.edu
Pacific Conservation Biology 27(4) 442-450 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC20086
Submitted: 2 November 2020 Accepted: 11 July 2021 Published: 10 August 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY
Abstract
Indigenous resource management (IRM) is dynamic and ever evolving, in part because it is based on co-evolutionary relationships between Indigenous cultures and the biodiversity around them. Forms of conservation imposed on Indigenous people and places by settler-colonialism tend to idealise pre-human and human-excluded environments, leading to conflicts between settler-coloniser conservationists and Indigenous communities detrimental to conservation goals. Conservation efforts that align with IRM and acknowledge the co-evolutionary relationships at the foundation of Indigenous culture can lead to more effective conservation efforts. In Hawai‘i, the evolving relationship between Kānaka (Hawaiians) and pua‘a (pigs; Sus scrofa) has been the flash point of conflicts between settler-coloniser conservationists and Hawaiian communities. This paper examines the co-evolving relationships between Hawaiians and pigs in an effort to better balance the conservation efforts aimed at controlling invasive species with the State of Hawai‘i’s obligation to support Indigenous practices and public hunting. We conducted this research by investigating archival Hawaiian language resources, which allowed us to resurrect knowledge lost to time and pinpoint key historical changes over the past 250 years. Our results elucidate this co-evolutionary relationship that shifted from an animal-husbandry relationship to a hunter–prey relationship in the first half of the 19th century. This change in the trajectory of the co-evolutionary relationship was a result of various shifts throughout Hawaiian socio-ecological systems, and therefore necessitates adaptive governance relating to management of and access to pigs. We conclude that Indigenous perspectives offer opportunities to transform conservation biology through multi-objective approaches that address both hunting and conservation goals.
Keywords: biocultural evolution, conservation biology, conservation policy, feral pigs, Hawai‘i, Indigenous culture, Indigenous resource management, wildlife management.
References
Anderson, S. P. (1994). Some environmental indicators related to feral pig activity in a Hawaiian rain forest. MSc thesis. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.Andrade, C. (2008). ‘Ha‘ena: through the eyes of the ancestors.’ (University of Hawai‘i Press: Honolulu, HI, USA)
Barrett, R. H., and Stone, C. P. (1983). Managing wild pigs in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Unpublished Report for Resources Management, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 21 November 1983. Research Center, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.
Barrios-Garcia, M. N., and Ballari, S. A. (2012). Impact of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in its introduced and native range: a review. Biological Invasions 14, 2283–2300.
| Impact of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in its introduced and native range: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berkes, F. (2012). ‘Sacred ecology.’ (Routledge: New York, NY, USA.)
Berkes, F., Folke, C. (Eds) (1998). ‘Linking social and ecological systems: management practices and social mechanisms for building resilience.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Booth, J. (1865). ‘Olelo Hoolaha.’ Ke Au Okoa, 18 September, p. 3.
Burke, C. R., Peterson, M. N., Sawyer, D. T., Moorman, C. E., Serenari, C., Meentemeyer, R. K., and DePerno, C. S. (2019). Predicting private landowner hunting access decisions and hunter density. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 24, 99–115.
| Predicting private landowner hunting access decisions and hunter density.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Businger, S., Nogelmeier, M. P., Chinn, P. W., and Schroeder, T. (2018). Hurricane with a history: Hawaiian newspapers illuminate an 1871 storm. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 99, 137–147.
| Hurricane with a history: Hawaiian newspapers illuminate an 1871 storm.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campbell, D. T. (1965). Variation and selective retention in socio-cultural evolution. In Social change in developing areas: a reinterpretation of evolutionary theory, 19–49.
Chimner, R. A., Fry, B., Kaneshiro, M. Y., and Cormier, N. (2006). Current extent and historical expansion of introduced mangroves on O’ahu, Hawai‘i’. Pacific Science 60, 377–383.
| Current extent and historical expansion of introduced mangroves on O’ahu, Hawai‘i’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chinen, J. J. (1958). ‘The great Mahele: Hawaii’s land division of 1848. Vol. 1, No. 1.’ (University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Comberti, C., Thornton, T. F., de Echeverria, V. W., and Patterson, T. (2015). Ecosystem services or services to ecosystems? Valuing cultivation and reciprocal relationships between humans and ecosystems. Global Environmental Change 34, 247–262.
| Ecosystem services or services to ecosystems? Valuing cultivation and reciprocal relationships between humans and ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cook, J. (1846). ‘The Voyages of Captain James Cook (Issue v. 2).’ (W. Smith: London, United Kingdom.)
Crane, T. A. (2010). Of models and meanings: cultural resilience in social–ecological. Ecology and Society 15, 4.
| Of models and meanings: cultural resilience in social–ecological.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dening, G. (1980). ‘Islands and beaches: discourse on a silent land: Marquesas, 1774–1880.’ (University Press of Hawaii: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Diong, C. H. (1982). ‘Population biology and management of the feral pig (Sus scrofa) in Kipahulu Valley, Maui.’ (University of Hawai‘i: Ma¨noa, Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Duffy, D. J., and Lepczyk, C. A. (2021). The historical ecology of game species introductions in Hawai‘i. Pacific Science 75, 1–41.
| The historical ecology of game species introductions in Hawai‘i.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dunmore, J. (1969). ‘The fateful voyage of the St Jean Baptiste: a true account of M. de Surville’s expedition to New Zealand and the unknown south seas in the years 1769-70.’ (Pegasus: New Zealand.)
Eliason, S. L. (2016). Access to public resources on private property: resident hunterperceptions of the commercialization of wildlife in Montana. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 16, 37–43.
| Access to public resources on private property: resident hunterperceptions of the commercialization of wildlife in Montana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Folke, C., Hahn, T., Olsson, P., and Norberg, J. (2005). Adaptive governance of social-ecological systems. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 30, 441–473.
| Adaptive governance of social-ecological systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garibaldi, A., and Turner, N. (2004). Cultural keystone species: implications for ecological conservation and restoration. Ecology and Society 9, 1.
| Cultural keystone species: implications for ecological conservation and restoration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garnett, S. T., Burgess, N. D., Fa, J. E., et al. (2018). A spatial overview of the global importance of Indigenous lands for conservation. Nature Sustainability 1, 369.
| A spatial overview of the global importance of Indigenous lands for conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Giffin, J. G. (1978). ‘Ecology of the feral pig on the island of Hawaii.’ Honolulu, HI, USA.
Gon, Samuel M., Winter, K. B., and Demotta, M. (2021). KUA–LAKO–MO ‘O: a methodology for exploring Indigenous conceptualisations of nature and conservation in Hawai‘i. Pacific Conservation Biology , .
| KUA–LAKO–MO ‘O: a methodology for exploring Indigenous conceptualisations of nature and conservation in Hawai‘i.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goodman, M. J., Griffin, P. B., Estioko-Griffin, A. A., and Grove, J. S. (1985). The compatibility of hunting and mothering among the Agta hunter-gatherers of the Philippines. Sex Roles 12, 1199–1209.
| The compatibility of hunting and mothering among the Agta hunter-gatherers of the Philippines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Handy, E. S., Handy, E. G., and Pukui, M. K. (1972). ‘Native planters in old Hawaii: their life, lore, and environment. Vol. 233.’ (Bishop Museum: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Hardjanti, F., and Zainal, I. (2003). Indonesia report. Invasive alien species in south-southeast Asia. National Reports and Directory of Resources , 30–33.
Hommon, R. J. (2013). ‘The ancient Hawaiian state: origins of a political society.’ (Oxford University Press: New York, NY, USA.)
Jacobi, J. D., and Warshauer, F. R. (1992). Distribution of six alien plant species in upland habitats on the island of Hawaii. In ‘Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems of Hawai‘i’. pp. 155–188. (University of Hawai‘i Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Jokiel, P. L., Rodgers, K. S., Walsh, W. J., Polhemus, D. A., and Wilhelm, T. A. (2011). Marine resource management in the Hawaiian Archipelago: the traditional Hawaiian system in relation to the Western approach. Journal of Marine Biology , .
| Marine resource management in the Hawaiian Archipelago: the traditional Hawaiian system in relation to the Western approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kallis, G. (2007). Socio-environmental co-evolution: some ideas for an analytical approach. The International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 14, 4–13.
| Socio-environmental co-evolution: some ideas for an analytical approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kallis, G., and Norgaard, R. B. (2010). Coevolutionary ecological economics. Ecological Economics 69, 690–699.
| Coevolutionary ecological economics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kamakau, S. M. (1961). ‘Ruling chiefs of Hawaii.’ (Kamehameha Schools Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Kamakau, S. M., Barrère, D. B., and Pukui, M. K. (1964). ‘Ka Po‘e Kahiko: the people of old.’ (Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Kame‘eleihiwa, L. (1992). ‘Native land and foreign desires.’ (Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Kendrick, A. (2003). 10-Caribou co-management in northern Canada: fostering multiple ways of knowing. Navigating social–ecological systems. Building resilience for complexity and change , 241–268.
| 10-Caribou co-management in northern Canada: fostering multiple ways of knowing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirch, P. V. (2011). When did the Polynesians settle Hawaii? A review of 150 years of scholarly inquiry and a tentative answer. Hawaiian Archaeology 12, 3–26.
Kirch, P. V. (2014). ‘Kua'āina Kahiko: Life and Land in Ancient Kahikinui, Maui.’ (University of Hawai‘i Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Kittinger, J. N., Pandolfi, J. M., Blodgett, J. H., et al. (2011). Historical reconstruction reveals recovery in Hawaiian coral reefs. PloS One 6, e25460.
| Historical reconstruction reveals recovery in Hawaiian coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21991311PubMed |
Kramer, R. J. (1971). ‘Hawaiian land mammals.’ C.E. Tuttle Company, North Clarendon, VT, USA
Krauss, F. G. (1923). ‘Swine raising in Hawaii.’ Washington, DC, USA.
Kruska, D., and Röhrs, M. (1974). Comparative-quantitative investigations on brains of feral pigs from the Galapagos Islands and of European domestic pigs. Zeitschrift für Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte 144, 61–73.
| Comparative-quantitative investigations on brains of feral pigs from the Galapagos Islands and of European domestic pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 4851103PubMed |
Kuykendall, R. S. (1938). ‘The Hawaiian kingdom. Vol. 1.’ (University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Lega, C., Raia, P., Rook, L., and Fulgione, D. (2016). Size matters: a comparative analysis of pig domestication. The Holocene 26, 327–332.
| Size matters: a comparative analysis of pig domestication.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Linderholm, A., Spencer, D., Battista, V., et al. (2016). A novel MC1R allele for black coat colour reveals the Polynesian ancestry and hybridization patterns of Hawaiian feral pigs. Royal Society Open Science 3, 160304.
| A novel MC1R allele for black coat colour reveals the Polynesian ancestry and hybridization patterns of Hawaiian feral pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27703696PubMed |
Lockwood, C. (2009). Pigs, dryland agriculture and social complexity in precontact Hawai‘i: assessing surplus production through landscape geochemistry. PhD thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Macrae, J. (1922). ‘With Lord Byron at the Sandwich Islands in 1825: being extracts from the MS diary of James Macrae, Scottish botanist.’ Honolulu, HI, USA
Malo, D. (1951). ‘Hawaiian antiquities (Moolelo Hawaii), translated Nathaniel Emerson. Bernice P.’ (Bishop Museum: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Maly, K. (1998). ‘Na¯ Ulu La¯‘au Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Forests).’ (Kumu Pono Associates: Hilo, HI, USA.)
Miller, C. A. (2002). Big bucks: balancing resident and nonresident bowhunter demand inIllinois. In ‘Proceedings of the 1st National Bowhunting Conference’. (pp. 125–133). Bethesda, MD, USA.
Mistry, J., Bilbao, B. A., and Berardi, A. (2016). Community owned solutions for fire management in tropical ecosystems: case studies from Indigenous communities of South America. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 371, 20150174.
| Community owned solutions for fire management in tropical ecosystems: case studies from Indigenous communities of South America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moffitt, R., and Hopkins, G. (1863). ‘Malaekahana.’ Ka Hoku o Ka Pakipika, 16 April, p. 3.
Nogelmeier, P. (2010). ‘Mai Pa’a i Ka Leo: historical voice in Hawaiian primary materials; looking forward and listening back.’ (Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Nogueira-Filho, S. L., Nogueira, S. S., and Fragoso, J. M. (2009). Ecological impacts of feral pigs in the Hawaiian Islands. Biodiversity and Conservation 18, 3677.
| Ecological impacts of feral pigs in the Hawaiian Islands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nugent, G., Parkes, J. P., Dawson, N., and Caley, P. (1996). Feral pigs in New Zealand as conservation pests and as potential hosts of bovine tuberculosis. Unpublished Landcare Research Contract Report LC9596/54.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (2011). Papakilo Database. Available at https://www.papakilodatabase.com/pdnupepa/cgi-bin/pdnupepa?a=p&p=home [Accessed 5 May 2021]
Ōtsuka, R. (1983). ‘Oriomo Papuans: ecology of sago-eaters in lowland Papua.’ (University of Tokyo Press: Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan.)
Parke, J. (1861). ‘Olelo Hoolaha.’ Ka Hae Hawaii, 8 May, p. 23.
Pearson, R. J., Kirch, P. V., and Pietrusewsky, M. (1971). An early prehistoric site at Bellows Beach, Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. Archaeology and Physical Anthropology in Oceania 6, 204–234.
Peluso, N. L. (1992). The ironwood problem: (mis) management and development of an extractive rainforest product. Conservation Biology 6, 210–219.
| The ironwood problem: (mis) management and development of an extractive rainforest product.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pfeiffer, J. M., and Voeks, R. A. (2008). Biological invasions and biocultural diversity: linking ecological and cultural systems. Environmental Conservation 35, 281–293.
| Biological invasions and biocultural diversity: linking ecological and cultural systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pullar, E. M. (1950). The wild (feral) pigs of Australia and their role in the spread of infectious diseases. Australian Veterinary Journal 26, 99–110.
| The wild (feral) pigs of Australia and their role in the spread of infectious diseases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14772180PubMed |
Ribot, J. C., and Peluso, N. L. (2003). A theory of access. Rural Sociology 68, 153–181.
| A theory of access.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rose, C. (1994). ‘Property and persuasion: essays on the history, theory, and rhetoric of ownership.’ (Boulder, CO, USA.)
Sai, D. K. (2008). The American occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom: beginning the transition from occupied to restored state. PhD thesis, University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Salmón, E. (2000). Kincentric ecology: indigenous perceptions of the human–nature relationship. Ecological Applications 10, 1327–1332.
| Kincentric ecology: indigenous perceptions of the human–nature relationship.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sato, A. Y., Price, M. R., and Vaughan, M. B. (2018). Kāhuli: uncovering Indigenous Ecological knowledge to conserve endangered Hawaiian land snails. Society & Natural Resources 31, 320–334.
| Kāhuli: uncovering Indigenous Ecological knowledge to conserve endangered Hawaiian land snails.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schieffelin, E. L., and Crittenden, R. (1991). ‘Like people you see in a dream: first contact in six Papuan societies.’ (Stanford University Press: Redwood City, CA, USA.)
Smith, C. W. (1985). Impact of alien plants on Hawaii’s native biota. Hawai‘i’s Terrestrial Ecosystems: Preservation and Management, 180–250.
Smith, C. W., and Diong, C. H. (1977). ‘Proposal to study feral pigs in Kipahulu Valley, Haleakala National Park.’ Honolulu, HI, USA.
Sobrevila, C. (2008). The role of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation: the natural but often forgotten partners. In ‘No. 44300’. pp. 1–102. (The World Bank: Washington, DC, USA.)
Spencer, A. (1869). ‘Olelo Hoolaha. Ke Au Okoa.’ Vol. 5, No. 32.
Staples, G. W., Herbst, D. R., and Imada, C. T. (2000). Survey of invasive or potentially invasive cultivated plants in Hawaii. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers: Honolulu, HI, USA.
State of Hawai‘i v. Kui Palama. (2015). ‘Intermediate Court of Appeals of the State of Hawai‘i.’ Honolulu, HI, USA.
Stone, C. P. (1985). Alien animals in Hawaii’s native ecosystems: toward controlling the adverse effects of introduced vertebrates. Hawai‘i’s Terrestrial Ecosystems: Preservation and Management , 251–297.
Titcomb, M., and Pukui, M. K. (1969). ‘Dog and man in the ancient Pacific, with special attention to Hawaii.’ (Star-Bulletin Print Co: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Tomich, P. (1986). ‘Mammals in Hawaii: a synopsis and national bibliography.’ (Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.)
Turner, N. J., and Berkes, F. (2006). Coming to understanding: developing conservation through incremental learning in the Pacific Northwest. Human Ecology 34, 495–513.
| Coming to understanding: developing conservation through incremental learning in the Pacific Northwest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vaughan, M. B. (2018). ‘Kaiaulu: Gathering Tides.’ (Oregon State University Press: Corvallis, OR, USA.)
Wehr, N. H., Hess, S. C., and Litton, C. M. (2018). Biology and impacts of Pacific islands invasive species. 14. Sus scrofa, the feral pig (Artiodactyla: Suidae) 1. Pacific Science 72, 177–198.
| Biology and impacts of Pacific islands invasive species. 14. Sus scrofa, the feral pig (Artiodactyla: Suidae) 1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winter, K. B. (2012). Kalo (Hawaiian taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) varieties: an assessment of nomenclatural synonymy and biodiversity. Ethnobotany Research and Applications 10, 423–447.
Winter, K., and McClatchey, W. (2008). Quantifying evolution of cultural interactions with plants: implications for managing diversity for resilience in social-ecological systems. Functional Ecosystems and Communities 2, 1–10.
Winter, K., and McClatchey, W. (2009). The quantum co-evolution unit: an example of ‘Awa (Kava—Piper methysticum G. Foster) in Hawaiian culture. Economic Botany 63, 353.
| The quantum co-evolution unit: an example of ‘Awa (Kava—Piper methysticum G. Foster) in Hawaiian culture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winter, K. B., Lincoln, N. K., and Berkes, F. (2018a). The social-ecological keystone concept: a quantifiable metaphor for understanding the structure, function, and resilience of a biocultural system. Sustainability 10, 3294.
| The social-ecological keystone concept: a quantifiable metaphor for understanding the structure, function, and resilience of a biocultural system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winter, K. B., Beamer, K., Vaughan, M. B., et al. (2018b). The Moku system: managing biocultural resources for abundance within social-ecological regions in Hawai‘i. Sustainability 10, 3554.
| The Moku system: managing biocultural resources for abundance within social-ecological regions in Hawai‘i.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winter, K. B., Lincoln, N. K., Berkes, F., Alegado, R. A., Kurashima, N., Frank, K., Pascua, P., Rii, Y. M., Reppun, F., Knapp, I. S. S., McClatchey, W., Ticktin, T., Smith, C., Franklin, E. C., Oleson, K., Price, M. R., McManus, M. A., Donahue, M. J., Rodgers, K., Bowen, B. W., Nelson, C. E., Thomas, B., Leong, J. A., Madin, E., Rivera, M. A. J., Falinski, K. A., Bremer, L. L., Deenik, J. L., Gon, S. M., Neilson, B., Okano, R., Olegario, A., Kawelo, A. H., Kotubetey, K., Kukea-Shultz, J. K., and Toonen, R. J. (2020a). Ecomimicry in Indigenous resource management: optimizing ecosystem services to achieve resource abundance with examples from Hawai‘i. Ecology and Society 25, 26.
| Ecomimicry in Indigenous resource management: optimizing ecosystem services to achieve resource abundance with examples from Hawai‘i.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winter, K. B., Ticktin, T., and Quazi, S. (2020b). Biocultural restoration in Hawai‘i also achieves core conservation goals. Ecology and Society 25, 26.
| Biocultural restoration in Hawai‘i also achieves core conservation goals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
