Cultural Preservation in Hawaii and Alaska

Micah Kamohoali‘i and Alyssa London talk about Hawaii and Alaska, focusing on the importance of cultural preservation in two of the world’s most amazing places in this episode of Let’s Go Together.

Over the last few weeks, Kellee Edwards, pilot, adventurer, and host-extraordinaire of Let’s Go Together, the first podcast from iBestTravel, has introduced us to the people redefining what it means to be a traveler. This week, in the 11th installment, Edwards brings it back stateside to hear two people share their love and understanding of two of America’s most treasured states: Hawaii and Alaska.

Meet the Cultural Ambassadors

In this episode, Edwards introduces us to two cultural ambassadors: Kumu Micah Kamohoali’i from the Waimea on Hawaii’s Big Island and Alyssa London, a TV producer and author who is a member of the Tlingit Tribe from Angoon, Alaska. Both Kamohoali’i and London have traveled across the globe sharing their distinct cultures while connecting with other native people along the way.

The Role of Cultural Preservation

For London, preserving and sharing her culture has been integral to her journey. She recalls, “One of my earliest memories of trying to communicate my culture to my classmates was during a show-and-tell about the Tlingit creation story in second grade.”

After graduating, London continued her mission at Stanford University, aiming to educate others about Native culture, which many do not realize still exists. “I felt that it was my purpose in life to help people understand the origins of the indigenous peoples of these lands, and also to ensure our cultures are not forgotten,” she shared.

In Hawaii, Kamohoali’i is similarly dedicated to preserving the islands’ Native history, culture, and language. “I am a native Hawaiian and I educate others on Hawaiian language, chant, dance, and much more,” he explained. “I serve on various boards that promote Hawaiian culture and sustainability.”

Understanding Complex Histories

During their discussion, Kamohoali’i delves into the complex history of Hawaii, which many Americans are unaware of, including the U.S.-supported takeover of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 and subsequent bans on the Hawaiian language. “By the ’60s and ’70s, there were only about 50 speakers left,” he noted.

The trio engage in a heartfelt conversation about the people and traditions that make their homes significant, addressing the complexities of belonging to a nation that knows so little about its Indigenous peoples.

Learning Native Languages

They also introduce Edwards to their native languages. “Let’s go together,” Kamohoali’i translated, sharing the Hawaiian phrase: e hele kāua.

To learn more from Kumu Micah Kamohoali’i and Alyssa London, tune in to Let’s Go Together, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.