Mechelins K . Iechad, PhD | University of Hawaii at Manoa (original) (raw)
Academic Papers by Mechelins K . Iechad, PhD
Prepared by: Mechelins Kora Iechad Date: Spring 2012 Nuclear activity and humankind 2 Preface The... more Prepared by: Mechelins Kora Iechad Date: Spring 2012 Nuclear activity and humankind 2 Preface The islands of Palau are known as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. Palau is popular for its marine bio-diversity and a profusion of large pelagic animals. It is not unusual for divers to fly half way around the world to come dive and enjoy Palau's vibrant coral encrusted walls, animal life, and a collection of World War II wrecks. Home to over 1,300 species of fish and over 700 species of coral (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2009), including Palau's rich cultural and historical background, proves Palau to truly be a hidden paradise. Being a Palauan and growing up in the islands, I was able to spend much of my life exploring and appreciating Palau's culture, history, and our underwater wonder.
Poems by Mechelins K . Iechad, PhD
Published Papers by Mechelins K . Iechad, PhD
Thesis Chapters by Mechelins K . Iechad, PhD
In Climate Change and Global Health, authors Hanna and Mclver describe Pacific Island nations as ... more In Climate Change and Global Health, authors Hanna and Mclver describe Pacific Island nations as the “canaries in the coal mine of climate change and health.” Mounting threats to food and water security, infrastructure, and public health and safety due to decreasing levels of freshwater supply, increased coastal flooding and erosion, ocean acidification and coral bleaching, indicate multiple concerns for human and environmental communities in the Pacific Islands region. In Belau, an island chain in the Southwestern region of Oceania, research studies have primarily focused on how climate change effects the ocean and fisheries, a male-gendered sphere in Belauan culture. While this research is critical for understanding the broader environmental impacts of climate change very little research has been done to understand the effects of climate change on the land and land-based food sources—which is considered women’s sphere of responsibility and influence. Additionally, the focus on the environment and science fails to account for the impact of rising sea levels on the territorial sovereignty of Island nation-states. My research asks, what are the gendered dimensions of climate change and how do women contribute to mitigation, food security, and sovereignty in the face of environmental change? This dissertation is a qualitative study of how women’s organizations, such as Mechesiil Belau, are working to address the impacts of the climate crisis within the community and on a national level.
This research extends the existing discussion of the climate crisis to address both the impacts these changes are having on women’s daily lives and their families as well as the strategies these women are using to address their needs. While this research focuses on how women are responding to changes in their island environment, climate change is also forcing many people to abandon their island homes often taking up residence as refugees or immigrants in other island countries. This study recognizes that migration is as much a survival strategy as is growing food and yet migration raises unique questions related to Indigenous identity in diasporic contexts. Through interviews with women who have experienced environmentally motivated migrations, this project seeks to understand the myriad ways women are working to support their families while also striving to maintain their Indigenous identities. My research approach creates a space for women to discuss issues of climate change and how they are responding to it. By placing Belauan women’s stories and experiences at the center of this project, this research will also deepen our understanding of the gendered impacts climate change has on migration, food security, and sovereignty.
Grounded in the Belauan proverb "A Cherechar a lokelii," this thesis explores the ways the Bai, t... more Grounded in the Belauan proverb "A Cherechar a lokelii," this thesis explores the ways the Bai, the Belauan meetinghouse, informs Belauan principles and identity as well as the roles it pays in illuminating strategies for thinking about contemporary issues. Today people in Belau and around the world face challenges such as cultural marginalization and climate change; although separate issues, both find paths connecting one to the other. The physical structure and the social, cultural and political structures that come out of the bai indirectly demonstrate the connectivity of such issues as well as illuminating strategies for thinking about them. Specifically, using the Belauan strategy of indirect replies as a central methodology, this thesis engages in the stories painted on and told about the bai, gathered through the interviewing of Belauan elders and other scholarly research. It traces the history of Belau, from origins to colonization to political independence, with a specific focus on the bai as a key site and catalyst for Belauan identity. Ultimately, the bai gives us the foundation to begin examining strategies to address contemporary issues and challenges in addition to provoking us to further explore other types of indigenous strategies and ways of viewing the world.
Prepared by: Mechelins Kora Iechad Date: Spring 2012 Nuclear activity and humankind 2 Preface The... more Prepared by: Mechelins Kora Iechad Date: Spring 2012 Nuclear activity and humankind 2 Preface The islands of Palau are known as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. Palau is popular for its marine bio-diversity and a profusion of large pelagic animals. It is not unusual for divers to fly half way around the world to come dive and enjoy Palau's vibrant coral encrusted walls, animal life, and a collection of World War II wrecks. Home to over 1,300 species of fish and over 700 species of coral (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2009), including Palau's rich cultural and historical background, proves Palau to truly be a hidden paradise. Being a Palauan and growing up in the islands, I was able to spend much of my life exploring and appreciating Palau's culture, history, and our underwater wonder.
In Climate Change and Global Health, authors Hanna and Mclver describe Pacific Island nations as ... more In Climate Change and Global Health, authors Hanna and Mclver describe Pacific Island nations as the “canaries in the coal mine of climate change and health.” Mounting threats to food and water security, infrastructure, and public health and safety due to decreasing levels of freshwater supply, increased coastal flooding and erosion, ocean acidification and coral bleaching, indicate multiple concerns for human and environmental communities in the Pacific Islands region. In Belau, an island chain in the Southwestern region of Oceania, research studies have primarily focused on how climate change effects the ocean and fisheries, a male-gendered sphere in Belauan culture. While this research is critical for understanding the broader environmental impacts of climate change very little research has been done to understand the effects of climate change on the land and land-based food sources—which is considered women’s sphere of responsibility and influence. Additionally, the focus on the environment and science fails to account for the impact of rising sea levels on the territorial sovereignty of Island nation-states. My research asks, what are the gendered dimensions of climate change and how do women contribute to mitigation, food security, and sovereignty in the face of environmental change? This dissertation is a qualitative study of how women’s organizations, such as Mechesiil Belau, are working to address the impacts of the climate crisis within the community and on a national level.
This research extends the existing discussion of the climate crisis to address both the impacts these changes are having on women’s daily lives and their families as well as the strategies these women are using to address their needs. While this research focuses on how women are responding to changes in their island environment, climate change is also forcing many people to abandon their island homes often taking up residence as refugees or immigrants in other island countries. This study recognizes that migration is as much a survival strategy as is growing food and yet migration raises unique questions related to Indigenous identity in diasporic contexts. Through interviews with women who have experienced environmentally motivated migrations, this project seeks to understand the myriad ways women are working to support their families while also striving to maintain their Indigenous identities. My research approach creates a space for women to discuss issues of climate change and how they are responding to it. By placing Belauan women’s stories and experiences at the center of this project, this research will also deepen our understanding of the gendered impacts climate change has on migration, food security, and sovereignty.
Grounded in the Belauan proverb "A Cherechar a lokelii," this thesis explores the ways the Bai, t... more Grounded in the Belauan proverb "A Cherechar a lokelii," this thesis explores the ways the Bai, the Belauan meetinghouse, informs Belauan principles and identity as well as the roles it pays in illuminating strategies for thinking about contemporary issues. Today people in Belau and around the world face challenges such as cultural marginalization and climate change; although separate issues, both find paths connecting one to the other. The physical structure and the social, cultural and political structures that come out of the bai indirectly demonstrate the connectivity of such issues as well as illuminating strategies for thinking about them. Specifically, using the Belauan strategy of indirect replies as a central methodology, this thesis engages in the stories painted on and told about the bai, gathered through the interviewing of Belauan elders and other scholarly research. It traces the history of Belau, from origins to colonization to political independence, with a specific focus on the bai as a key site and catalyst for Belauan identity. Ultimately, the bai gives us the foundation to begin examining strategies to address contemporary issues and challenges in addition to provoking us to further explore other types of indigenous strategies and ways of viewing the world.