Walter Ritte has been a leader of social activism in Hawai‘i for many years and is known for defending Hawai‘i’s environments and natural resources. For years, Uncle Walter has been working the system, through organizing, meeting with the community, doing research, educating the public, protesting, gathering rallies, and lobbying for new constitutional and legislative laws. Uncle Walter was one of “the Kaho‘olawe Nine” who stopped the U.S. Military from bombing Kaho‘olawe and returned the ‘āina to the Hawaiian people. Uncle Walter is the founder of ‘Āina Momona, a Native Hawaiian organization focused on restoring ecosystems, promoting cultural rights and practices, enhancing community well-being, and advocating for native rights and social justice.