A groundbreaking publication that seeks to build more just and generative relationships between researchers and community members was updated to better reflect the nuances and complexities of community-researcher partnerships. version 2.0, a collaboration involving the , includes an enhanced introduction with guidance on using the publication as a starting point to spark deeper conversations. It also includes updates to each of the kūlana (posture and carriage) to reflect lessons learned in previous/ongoing partnerships.
Kūlana Noiʻi was initially developed in 2017 through a partnership between university researchers and place-based stewards to ensure equitable and reciprocal relationships with those connected to, and caring for, the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia. It outlined a set of ideas, values and behaviors that served as a resource to facilitate open conversation and clearly articulated expectations.
Since Kūlana Noiʻi was first released, more than 600 researchers, community members and resource stewards have been trained through more than 40 workshops on building and nurturing pilina (relationships) and Aʻo aku, aʻo mai / Aloha aku, aloha mai (knowledge given, knowledge received / love given, love received).
It has also had far-reaching impacts beyond Â鶹´«Ã½, and has been shared nationally through peer-reviewed journal articles, the traditional and local knowledge , the Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange , as a resource in creating the Arctic Science Summit Week 2021 and more.
Rosie Alegado, director of the UH Sea Grant College Program¡¯s , said “This guidance document also has resonance for other academic institutions that strive to center justice and equity in their work.”
Next, the Kūlana Noiʻi Working Group intends to focus on developing additional curricula to train STEM faculty and graduate students in this process. “A key starting point for University of Â鶹´«Ã½ becoming a Native Hawaiian place of learning is for our researchers to adopt a praxis of working in partnership and active engagement with local communities,” said Alegado.
Although Kūlana Noiʻi was initially envisioned through partnerships among the UH Sea Grant College Program, the and the , it does not belong to any single organization, institution or community. It is rooted in the collective knowledge, insight and many years of effort contributed by communities, organizations and experts across Â鶹´«Ã½.
This publication is an example of UH Mānoa¡¯s goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.
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–By Cindy Knapman