Kaleomanuʻiwa Wong was recently named to the 2017-18 cohort -- Papa Mau -- of the First Nations' Future Project. The program, now in its twelfth and possibly last year, has been jointly sponsored by Kamehameha Schools, Stanford University, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and UH Mānoa. It "combines leadership development topics with case studies / problem based learning modules, and place / problem-based research projects in order to develop well-balanced leaders and more integrated solutions of First Nations' issues." The Papa Mau cohort (a play on the literal meaning of "papa mau" as the "persevering class" and as a reference to Papa Mau Pialug) has thus far engaged in ʻāina-based action at Ulupō and in two-weeks of indigenous leadership symposiums at Stanford. The cohort consists entirely of Hōkūleʻa crew members (thus giving additional significance to its Papa Mau name) and promises to offer a mālama honua perspective that has already been informed by many years of voyaging and cultural exchange. –KdS
Photo courtesy of Kaleo Wong