Island life at 20 degrees N – 48 degrees N

Killer Whale

San Juan Island

Humpback Whale

Maui

I am fortunate to be able to live on two distinct islands – one in the midst of the bright semi- tropics of the Pacific Ocean, the other in the cool wondrous Salish Sea. I am living in these two similar and dissimilar places in harmony with the seasons, the people, and the animals – the pulse of life. The natural beauty of these two islands is staggering they rival every place I have ever traveled to, and hold my attention endlessly. But it isn’t just this idealism which fascinates me it is also the challenges.

The San Juan Islands are a group of many in the Salish Sea, a part of Washington state in the United States, just a few miles from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The islands are a part of a chain which had been disputed by Britain and the United States. In 1872, after a peaceful twelve year military occupation by both countries, the boundary was determined and the San Juans became part of the United States. The difficulty had been the confusion over where the 39th Parallel, the diving line agreed upon, actually lay. It was finally determined that the boundary should be in the Haro Straits, rather than the more easterly Rosario Straits dividing all the islands between the two nations.
My home is on San Juan Island, the county seat, and the most developed. Yet with approx. 6,500 people living there, an hour ferry ride to the mainland, and a real “island mentality” (many refer to the mainland as America feeling they live in a world of their own) government and commerce don’t feel quite so important. Taciturn is a word sometimes used when describing locals; reclusive is another. Like many island destinations a large number of people choose to live there to get away, to be left alone, to live off the land and exert their independent spirits. And like most places that fit this description they are kind, good people who care for their own.

Indigenous people no longer occupy the islands and although there is a long tradition of fishing and farming, it is tourism which keeps many employed today. All of the usual problems of a tourist driven economy on a small isolated island exist, lack of affordable housing, infrastructure challenges, transportation, high cost of living, and in this case, an aging population. It is how the community copes which holds my attention. Then of course there are the environmental issues we all face everywhere,  exacerbated by the isolation of a small island.

Tourists come for the beauty, serenity, nature and of course the animals! Eagles, fox, otters, seals, a variety of ducks and at the top of the list the mighty and majestic killer whales abound. Endangered, these Southern Killer Whales live off a dwindling food source- salmon. And they live too near developed areas, in warming waters less pure than should be.

Maui, part of the Hawaiian Islands also has a tourist industry largely influenced by whales- humpback whales. Seasonal just as the killer whales are these “gentle giants” are thriving. Their waters are relatively healthy; their prey is far away in Alaska (the humpbacks do not feed in Hawaii but come to breed and give birth before returning to their feeding grounds). The tourist industry for whale watching as well as all water sports and terrestrial action activities (including getting married and drinking mai tais!) is well developed. At a population of 144,444, this popular tourist destination has long been a mecca for developers who build large complexes to house those who want to get away from a cold winter. And the same issues persist- lack of affordable housing, high cost of living, and infrastructure, just to name a few. However Hawaii’s history lends more complexity to the comparison.

A highly developed culture and monarchy existed before the colonization by the United States and subsequent statehood and many cultural influences luckily have survived. Even a haole like myself knows that pono (uprightness, morality, righteousness, etc ), kuleana ( personal sense of responsibility ) and of course aloha (affection, peace, compassion etc. ) have true meaning and are deeply embedded in the culture. The way in which people think and live on their small island remains mainly Hawaiian in nature with emphasis on family, a sense of responsibility for the environment and the people. I believe, largely but certainly not exclusively, these positive attitudes contribute to meeting the challenges this island faces in the most remote part of the world. Note the state motto- Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ’Aina i ka Pono – The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.

This article is simply an introduction of the islands I know and love. The views are my own, they may be inconsistent with those of others and I have not gone into depth at this juncture. This is a brief glance at two special places.

My profession is Interpretation Trainer for Nature and Heritage. After many years teaching at the university level in language acquisition and cross cultural communication I turned my attention to communication skills for naturalists, interpreters of history and heritage and what we call in America, docents- those who interpret in museums. Interpretation in this case does not mean language; rather it refers to communicating and understanding our environment, history and conservation challenges. I have taken a specific track in my work- how do we interpret life on small islands? How do we come to understand it and help those who visit to appreciate it beyond the superficial? How do we help those who live on these islands to view their own issues and unite to find solutions? It is an ongoing and fascinating pursuit.