KiTeya Belford-Smith's Photo

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  • Last login almost 5 years ago

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Overview

  • 3 references 2 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning French, Hawaiian, Spanish
  • 47, Male
  • Member since 2014
  • School teacher at a Hawaiian project-based charter school
  • B.A. In Anthropology, University of Hawai'i at Hilo
  • From Grand Rapids, MI, USA
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

Combat GMOs (genetically mutilated organisms) by collecting seeds and growing everything organically

ABOUT ME

I'm interested in a wide variety of things, such as sustainable and indigenous ways of living and farming, art, sciences, Hawaiian spirituality, Hawaiian food crops, Polynesian voyaging systems, growing food, saving seeds, learning, teaching, networking with awesome people, good food and conversation. What I'm not into includes small talk, laziness, deceit, faceless corporations....

PHILOSOPHY

Love Unconditional.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I listen. I learn. I teach.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed in Amsterdam once with a friend who hosts couch surfers, but I was not one then. I met some while I was there, though, and they were really cool!

Interests

Moss, mazes, watersheds, native flora and fauna, photography, seeds, ethnobotany, forests, indigenous cultures, open air markets, vinyl records

  • arts
  • culture
  • folklore
  • photography
  • dining
  • drinking
  • survival
  • history
  • medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

Countryman, Rockers, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Midnite, Fat Freddy's Drop, Seeed, roots reggae, classic rock, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Xavier Rudd

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was in Barcelona when Spain won the Eurocup Final in 2012, and witnessed the celebration in the streets afterwards. it was an incredible, unforgettable experience.
I have had opportunities to become involved in native Hawaiian Makahiki ceremonies for the past seven years, and each time I am extremely grateful to be there and experience the perpetuation of an ancient tradition.

Teach, Learn, Share

1) Hawaiian culture, language, history, lore, political landscape, land management practices, Ahupua'a system
2) Farming practices: urban and rural, vertical, horizontal, permaculture, fruit tree grafting, organic, Hawaiian/ Polynesian, Korean Natural Farming, food sovereignty, etc. I have an extensive network of amazing people who can grow just about everything. If I don't personally know how, I know someone who does know.
3) survival skills: something I used to be deeply interested in was how to live completely from the land (build shelter, procure fresh drinking water, fire by friction, cordage, basketry, food and medicine plants)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Really amazing places that you probably wouldn't visit otherwise, and Hawaiian history of those places, stories, place names, and other Hawaiian cultural mana'o, language, chants, plants, farming practices... Plenty!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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