Mehana Blaich Vaughan

Ola i ke ahe lau makani
There is life in a gentle breath of wind.

Mehana Blaich Vaughan grew up in Namahana and Kalihiwai on the island of Kaua’i, Hawai’i.  She is a teacher, returning to school herself, after three years helping to create place-based education programs on Kaua’i.  Incorporating environmental restoration, community building, and perpetuation of cultural practices such as farming, these programs cultivate students’ connection to ‘aina, or land. 

Previously, Mehana taught middle school Science and English in a Hawaiian language immersion school, as well as high school in Quincy, Massachusetts; Indangalasia, Kenya; and Masvingo, Zimbabwe.  Mehana holds a secondary school teaching certification and Bachelors of Sociology from Harvard University, and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. 

Mehana’s research focuses on:

• How internal and external factors impact the sustainability of community based resource governance efforts
• Contemporary models of land use based on indigenous ecological knowledge
• Education systems which train local youth to serve as land stewards
• Methods to create dialogue and understanding between diverse parties

She is appreciative of ideas and expertise others might have in these unfolding arenas, and honored to be able to explore them at IPER. 

Mehana extends gratitude to her husband, parents, sister, Tutu (grandmother), and to all of her‘ohana (family) for their steady aloha and support.  She also thanks Kohala, Manoa, Waipa and Halele’a, Anahola and Ko’olau, Wai’anae and Miloli’i, Kalihiwai, and all the communities, elders, teachers, students, mentors, colleagues, and friends who inspire, guide, and nourish this work. 

Me ke aloha pumehana (With warmest aloha).