In a heartfelt tribute to Mehana Blaich Vaughan, PhD ’12, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability bestowed upon her the prestigious 2023 Early- to Mid-Career Alumni Award. An esteemed University of Hawaii at Mānoa associate professor, Blaich Vaughan’s dedication to preserving Hawaii’s Indigenous culture, rich history, and breathtaking environment has earned her recognition and admiration.
Kuleana, a Hawaiian concept embodying the reciprocal relationship between people and resources, is at the core of Blaich Vaughan’s work. This deep-rooted principle guides her research, teaching, and commitment to the stewardship of Hawaii’s land and waters. On October 20, she received the Early- to Mid-Career Alumni Award at the Alumni Awards ceremony, where she shared insights into her work as part of the Career Conversation lunchtime talks series.
Arun Majumdar, the Chester Naramore Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, presented the award, praising Blaich Vaughan for her global perspective and local community impact. “Her ability to build community and connections to nature in Hawaii resonates with environmentalists around the world, in both rural and urban areas,” said Majumdar.
Blaich Vaughan’s journey reflects her profound connection to Hawaii, starting from her island childhood on Kauai. Raised with a reverence for the land and ocean, she credits her parents and grandmother for instilling a sense of responsibility toward Hawaii’s cultural and environmental heritage.
Driven by the power of education, Blaich Vaughan pursued a path to address social injustice through teaching. Her unique ability to convey Hawaiian cultural values emerged during her time as a high school social studies teacher in Boston’s inner-city schools. Blaich Vaughan’s passion for education extended globally as she taught in Kenya and explored community-based job creation in Zimbabwe.
Returning to Hawaii, Blaich Vaughan witnessed significant changes, including development pressure and land-use alterations. Motivated to assist in mobilizing community participation in island stewardship, she pursued a master’s in curriculum studies tailored to Hawaiian education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
The pivotal turn in Blaich Vaughan’s academic journey came at Stanford, where she earned her PhD through the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER). Mentored by esteemed faculty members like Peter Vitousek, Roz Naylor, and Barton “Buzz” Thompson, she embarked on a transformative academic experience.
Blaich Vaughan’s multidisciplinary approach, blending cultural wisdom with environmental studies, left an indelible mark. Her ability to articulate her cultural heritage was highlighted during her qualifying exam, where she invited her committee to participate in a culturally infused ritual.
Currently, as an associate professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Blaich Vaughan’s work encompasses community outreach, teaching, and research. She empowers her students to address climate change, social justice, and environmental restoration by delving into the values underlying resource management practices.
Blaich Vaughan’s book, “Kaiāulu: Gathering Tides,” spotlights the commitment of fishing families to care for Hawaii’s coastal waters. Proceeds from the book support Kīpuka Kuleana, a nonprofit she founded to help Kauai families protect their ancestral lands.
Her message to Stanford students is a call to recognize their unique gifts and use them to address challenges. Blaich Vaughan’s enduring commitment to sustaining communities and preserving cultural values serves as an inspiration for current and future generations.
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability celebrates Mehana Blaich Vaughan’s impactful contributions, honoring her with the Early- to Mid-Career Alumni Award. In her journey, Blaich Vaughan exemplifies the essence of kuleana, demonstrating that a deep connection to one’s roots can drive meaningful and lasting change.
