{"id":223313,"date":"2025-10-08T10:23:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=223313"},"modified":"2025-10-08T10:23:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:23:26","slug":"respectful-research-with-kupuna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/08\/respectful-research-with-kupuna\/","title":{"rendered":"Respectful research with k\u016bpuna focus of new guide"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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ALU LIKE k\u016bpuna share an impromptu hula with H\u0101 K\u016bpuna staff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first comprehensive guide for conducting qualitative interviews with Native Hawaiian elders (k\u016bpuna) has been released, offering researchers a culturally grounded framework for building trust and reciprocity. Developed by the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa\u2019s H\u0101 K\u016bpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders<\/a> in partnership with ALU LIKE, Inc.<\/a>, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian advancement, the guide aims to ensure research practices reflect Hawaiian values and benefit communities.<\/p>\n

Qualitative Research with K\u016bpuna: A Guide to Respectful, Collaborative Interviewing<\/a> is a 48-page resource designed for students, faculty and community researchers. It provides practical tools for engaging k\u016bpuna in ways that honor cultural traditions, strengthen relationships and share knowledge responsibly. <\/p>\n

Download Qualitative Research with K\u016bpuna: A Guide to Respectful, Collaborative Interviewing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“There are many past examples of extractive or harmful research practices with Indigenous people,” said Shelley Muneoka, a lead researcher on the study. “This protocol flips the script by placing cultural values, reciprocity and community well-being at the center of the research process.”<\/p>\n

The free guide was published alongside a peer-reviewed article in Progress in Community Health Partnerships<\/a> and draws on more than five years of collaboration with k\u016bpuna across Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What the guide offers<\/h2>\n

The resource reflects principles of community-based participatory research and includes:<\/p>\n