More About Indrajit Gundakara
Indrajit was introduced to the cultural, medicinal, and ecological applications of the coconut at an early age, shaping a lifelong relationship with the tree. Hawaiʻi has been Indrajit’s home for nearly twenty years. In his hānai home, he has worked closely with Hawaiian epistemologist Dr. Manu Aluli Meyer, grounding his farming practice in the Indigenous Hawaiian understanding of ʻāina momona—abundance—within the philosophical context of “love land, serve people.” Guided by this framework, Indrajit activated the NiU NOW! movement, which centers the niu as a vital cultural, ecological, and food resource—rightfully understood as the Tree of Life.
In addition to his work with niu, Indrajit spent nearly a decade as an Administrative and Technical Professional at Kapiʻolani Community College, where he managed and directed educational initiatives, donor-funded social development programs, and international peace-building projects within multicultural teams.
At Koali Niu, Indrajit’s leadership ensures that preservation is guided by ancestral practice, cultural responsibility, and lived relationship with the land—honoring both the trees and the people who care for them.