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Koali Niu Vice President, Indrajit Gunsakara
Indrajit is currently the new Director of Community Coconut Projects for Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program, led by Dr. Heather McMillen. He is excited and grateful to extend his work with uluniu - coconut groves - on all islands through unique and loving collaborations. He has been involved in the planning of the Koali Niu Gene Bank since day one!
Indrajit is from a long line of Indigenous farmers from Southern Sri Lanka where they continue land-based spiritual farming for over two millennia. His native home, Matara, is centered on one of the world’s ancient coconut groves spread over 30 miles planted in 589 A.D. Subsistence farming knowledge, along with multiple associated coconut practices continues to be perpetuated. Indrajit was introduced to the cultural application of the coconut at a very early age. Hawai'i has become his home for nearly 20 years. In his hānai home he has worked with Hawaiian epistemologist, Dr. Manu Aluli Meyer, and thus his farming practice has been inspired by the Indigenous Hawaiian understanding of 'āina momona, abundance, within the philosophical context of "love land, serve people." With this understanding, Indrajit has continued his land-based practices and has activated the NiU NOW! movement which focuses on the niu, coconut, as a vital cultural, ecological, and food resource we describe as the "tree of life". In addition to his work with niu, Indrajit has worked nearly ten years as an Administrative and Technical Professional at the Kapiʻolani Community College. He has managed and directed educational, business and donor-funded social development as well as international peace-building projects within multicultural teams.
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