Alika is a Native Hawaiian with a strong connection to his island home of Oahu, where he was born and raised. He comes from a family with a long history of subsistence fishing, and this heritage has shaped his deep appreciation for the marine environment. Alika pursued his passion for marine biology and aquaculture at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he actively participated in the Scientific Diving group. During his time at university, he conducted valuable coral reef surveys across the Hawaiian islands. Aside from his academic pursuits, Alika has also dedicated over 13 years of his life as a Firefighter/EMT with the Honolulu Fire Department. Furthermore, he has extensive experience of over 15 years in Hawaiian commercial fishing, leading teams of SCUBA divers and boaters on various missions. He firmly believes that preserving the marine resources can be achieved most effectively by incorporating traditional Hawaiian values into conservation efforts. 

Scope and Content Note
This oral history interview with Alika Garcia, Executive Director of Kuleana Coral Restoration, provides valuable insights into his life, upbringing, and journey towards becoming a prominent figure in marine conservation in Honolulu, Hawaii. The interview covers various topics, including Alika's early life in a diverse neighborhood where fishing was a central aspect of the culture. Fishing, for him, was not merely a hobby but a way of life that eventually led him to become a commercial fisherman and later pursue a marine biology degree at the university. He discusses his involvement in the aquarium fish trade and his concerns about its sustainability and sheds light on the tensions between fishing groups, with some advocating for conservation and others focusing on commercial interests. Alika's emphasizes the changing dynamics of fishing in Hawaii due to an influx of people from the mainland and China, leading to unsustainable practices and overfishing. Despite the challenges, he remains dedicated to fishing and conservation. Alika's formation of Kulana Coral to address the decline in the fishery and the impact on the environment is a significant topic of discussion. He criticizes the lack of recognition of indigenous cultures and fishermen's knowledge by governmental bodies and advocates for the implementation of traditional land management systems. The interview highlights the work of Kuleana, Alika's organization, which focuses on capacity building and restoration efforts in Hawaii's reefs.  Alika's insights into the uniqueness and challenges of Hawaii's reefs, their high rate of endemism, and their cultural significance for native Hawaiians provide a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation efforts.