The Department of Philosophy Colloquium Series For Indigenous Philosophy Presents

Ka ʻĀina, ke Kapu me ke Kanaka:
The Social-Natural Metabolism
in the Ōiwi Mind

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Sakamaki Hall C-308

Kānaka Maoli are disproportionately affected by attacks on ʻāina in that it directly affects our means of production (especially of subsistence and housing), the onslaught on ʻāina is inevitably an attack on Kānaka Maoli. With this identification of kānaka and ʻāina, Kanaka Maoli responses to these issues are largely founded on a language of identity. Is this identification, however, consistent with ʻŌiwi thought? In this presentation I will argue categorically “no.” I will demonstrate that ʻŌiwi thought is founded on non-identity: the emergence of kānaka from nature is conceived primarily as a constitutional estrangement and alienation in the ʻŌiwi mind.

Kaipulaumakaniolono Keala is a Moʻolono for the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana on Kanaloa and an Assistant Professor at the Kamakakūokalani
Center for Hawaiian Studies.