Welcome to

INDIGENOUS VIBRANCY

For Indigenous students, school completion rates and transition-to-university statistics, particularly in STEM-related programs; remain significantly lower than for their non-indigenous peers. Indigenous student enrollments in fields requiring strong mathematics and scientific literacy are low in relation to other disciplines, whereas more visible and longer-established disciplines within Indigenous communities such as Arts, Education and Society and Culture enjoy much higher rates of student participation. (Paige, Hattam, Rigney, Osborne, & Morrison, n.d., p. vi).

Although the preliminary purpose of Indigenous Vibrancy League is to focus on expanding indigenous awareness through the various STEMS² programs that are born from our STEMS² ‘ohana, IV League also serves as a support system for both instructors and students to feel safe in a space that supports their continual growth toward becoming impactful community stewards.

As Hōkūleʻa sails the Worldwide Voyage, her crewmembers are on a mission to compel the global community to take up a unified and collaborative approach to environmental challenges that are affecting all of humanity. Underscoring this need, voyagers are seeking stories of hope and mālama honua from communities and leaders who are inspiring bold and innovative solutions around the world. These are the great navigators of our Island Earth. Consequently, natural questions arise: What is being done to improve the places we call home in Hawaiʻi? Who here, is navigating the path to a better future?

Indigenous Vibrancy (IV) League is honored to answer the kāhea (call) of the PVS 'ohana. The Polynesian Voyaging Society is a beautiful reflection of indigenous vibrancy. To commit and actively support this promise not only anchors the focus of our young program, it speaks to the strength in our ho'oholo (resolve).

1: Our Livelihood

Ocean-based enterprises are sustainable; guided by cultural heritage, facilitated by relevant science, authorized by sufficient management capacity, and optimized by new opportunities.

2: Our Island Home

Caring for our island communities, lands and waters through partnerships and action.

3: Our Future

Collective investment in our future leaders is priority, providing the proper tools, training, and experience to advance this work beyond our own lifetimes and abilities.

4: Our Responsibility

Build capacity to sustainably manage Hawaiʻi’s ocean resources for generations to come.

5: Our Heritage

Our island way of life will thrive through community-based co-management of our marine resources.