NPR's Book of the Day: Protecting Threatened Lands in the Amazon and Hawaii

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Podcast: NPR's Book of the Day
Host: Andrew Limbong
Description: Exploring today's most compelling books, this episode delves into two deeply reported works addressing the urgent need to protect threatened lands in the Amazon rainforest and Hawaii. Through insightful conversations with authors and contributors, listeners gain a profound understanding of the challenges and personal stories behind these environmental battles.

1. Preserving the Amazon: "How to Save the Amazon" by Dom Phillips

Overview:
The episode opens with a poignant discussion about Dom Phillips, a dedicated journalist who was tragically killed in the Amazon rainforest while working on his book, How to Save the Amazon. Phillips' untimely death left his work unfinished, but his widow, Alessandra Sampaio, and co-author Jonathan Watts took on the monumental task of completing the book, ensuring that Phillips' mission to protect the Amazon continued.

Key Discussions:

• Phillips' Legacy and Mission:
  Alessandra Sampaio emphasizes the deep connection Dom had with the land and its people. She explains, "Phillips was deep in a part of the Amazon rainforest known as the Javari Valley, halfway through writing his book about the Amazon when he and his colleague Bruno Pereira were shot and killed" (01:44).

• Collaborative Effort to Complete the Book:
  Jonathan Watts shares the emotional and practical challenges faced in finishing the book. He reflects, "After the funeral, it was so intense and I think that my way to keep going was to finish this book" (02:10). The team faced significant hurdles, including deciphering Phillips' illegible handwriting, which proved to be a formidable obstacle (06:03).

• Role of Indigenous Communities:
  A crucial theme in the book is the indispensable role of indigenous people in protecting the Amazon. Watts recounts his interactions with indigenous communities, stating, "They say to me, because I went in Javari Valley three times and the first time I was there, one guy hugged me and said to me, now you are part of our family, because Dom was part of our family" (03:11). This deep bond underscores the collaborative spirit necessary for conservation efforts.

• Defiance and Solidarity:
  Completing the book served as an act of defiance against those who sought to silence Phillips. Watts articulates, "It's defiance because it's sending out a message that killing a journalist won't silence them, that others will rally around and finish their work" (08:43). Additionally, the project fostered a sense of solidarity among friends, family, and contributors, helping to share the emotional burden of Phillips' loss.

Notable Quotes:

• Alessandra Sampaio:
  "Phillips was this person very committed with people. He really liked to have relationships with people." (02:35)

• Jonathan Watts:
  "He had the connection with people. He really liked to have relationships with people." (02:35)
  "It's defiance because it's sending out a message that killing a journalist won't silence them." (08:43)

2. Land, Legacy, and Responsibility in Hawaii: "A Story of Family, Land and Legacy in Old Hawaii" by Sarah Kahaulani Gu

Overview:
Transitioning to the second book, NPR introduces Sarah Kahaulani Gu's A Story of Family, Land and Legacy in Old Hawaii. Gu delves into the rising land costs in Hawaii and the profound impact on native Hawaiians' relationship with their ancestral lands. The narrative intertwines personal family history with broader socio-economic and cultural issues facing Hawaii today.

Key Discussions:

• Ancestral Land and Heritage:
  Gu narrates her family's deep historical ties to Hawaii, stating, "This land in my family goes back to the kingdom of Hawaii... given to my ancestor more than 175 years ago from King Kamehameha III" (11:56). This heritage includes a hidden native Hawaiian ancient temple, preserved by her family amidst historical upheavals.

• Meaning of "Kuleana":
  The title of the book, Kuleana, translates to "responsibility." Gu explains, "It's the perfect title for this book because it also explains the journey that I go on to really embrace it and understand it in a new context" (13:19). This concept embodies the personal and collective responsibility towards preserving Hawaiian land and heritage.

• Crisis of Rising Property Taxes:
  In 2019, Gu received alarming news about a 500% hike in property taxes on her family's land. This crisis forced her family to confront their relationship with the land, transitioning from ownership to stewardship. Gu states, "It was really a question about our relationship to it now that we are not living and we don't plan to live on this" (13:51).

• Broader Implications for Native Hawaiians:
  Gu connects her personal story to the larger narrative of land loss experienced by native Hawaiians. She highlights historical events such as the overthrow of the Hawaiian government, sugarcane plantation impacts, and federal land takeovers as factors contributing to the displacement and economic struggles of native communities (14:25).

• Impact of Tourism and Billionaire Land Acquisition:
  The influx of millions of tourists and billionaires purchasing vast estates exacerbates land scarcity and drives up property values, leaving native Hawaiians struggling to afford land and maintain their cultural practices. Gu emphasizes the unsustainable nature of this trend: "It's a place where there's a finite amount of land... something's really broken" (15:06).

• Call to Action for Visitors:
  Gu urges tourists to educate themselves about Hawaii's unique environment and culture before visiting. She advises, "Go there with an open mind and go there knowing that it's going to be a very unique experience... to also understand" (16:10).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Kahaulani Gu:
  "It's not real estate to us, but it was really a question about our relationship to it." (13:57)
  "A majority of native Hawaiians live outside of Hawaii... it's happening now with the world's billionaires who are snapping up a lot of acreage." (14:25)
  "Hawaii is a place where there's a finite amount of land... something's really broken." (15:06)
  "I want people to read my book if they're visiting Hawaii... understand it's a fragile ecosystem." (16:57)

Conclusion

This episode of NPR's Book of the Day offers a compelling exploration of two critical works focused on environmental conservation and cultural preservation. How to Save the Amazon not only chronicles the perilous journey of Dom Phillips but also exemplifies the resilience of a community committed to safeguarding one of the world's most vital ecosystems. Meanwhile, A Story of Family, Land and Legacy in Old Hawaii provides an intimate look into the struggles faced by native Hawaiians amid escalating land pressures and cultural displacement. Together, these narratives underscore the urgent need for collective responsibility and informed action to protect our planet's most threatened landscapes.

Notable Contributors:

• Alessandra Sampaio: Widow of Dom Phillips and co-author of How to Save the Amazon.
• Jonathan Watts: Journalist and co-author of Dom Phillips' book.
• Sarah Kahaulani Gu: Author of A Story of Family, Land and Legacy in Old Hawaii.
• Michelle Martin: NPR correspondent interviewing Sarah Kahaulani Gu.

This summary is crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the episode's content, highlighting key discussions and valuable insights from the featured authors and contributors.