Dr. Cliff Kapono is a professional surfer, chemist and journalist from Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. Amongst a broad and distinguished career, Bruddah Cliff (as he’s become known) has become a proud and profound voice for stronger focus and representation of indigenous voices in decision making for the planet. In this episode, our host Tim plays the role of the active listener as Cliff shares deep insights into the reasons why Cliff, as a young Native Hawaiian from a disadvantaged community in the remote Pacific, chose academia and a Doctorate to help him have a voice at the table in decision-making and policies for the ocean in his backyard and across the world. We discover how surfing and a life spent on, in and near the ocean has shaped Cliff and enabled him to travel to far-reaching corners of the globe to study and share his knowledge of how the blue blanket that covers 71% of the planet’s surface connects us all. A clear lesson for everyone in this podcast is that it’s well overdue that a greater focus on indigenous knowledge and perspectives are embedded in processes and decision making for our shared future. We wish to extend deep gratitude and respect to Bruddah Cliff for sharing his intimate perspectives and for all the work he does in inspiring and activating the next generation of ocean guardians in Hawaii and the world over. For more information on Cliff visit: http://www.cliffkapono.com/ To follow Cliff on Instagram visit: https://www.instagram.com/cliff_kapono/ To watch some of Cliff’s films visit his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-yySLZqrowTq4rL_zK2H3w