Kūlana Noiʻi: Indigenous Data Stewardship in Hawaiʻi

Abstract

Each year, scientists conduct hundreds of research projects in Hawaiʻi that focus on the natural resources of the islands’ upland, coastal, and marine ecosystems, systems which are integral to the livelihoods, cultural practices, and religious traditions of Kanaka ʻŌiwi. Yet without guidance, this research too often leaves Kānaka out of research processes, including the decision-making and outcomes vital to determining the scope of a project and its long-term impact. The Kūlana Noiʻi (ethical research standards) were developed to meet the need for establishing reciprocal research partnerships in Hawaiʻi communities, reflecting researcher and community approaches and drawing from extensive partnershps between university scientists, kiaʻi, federal and state resource managers, and local nonprofits. To date, this process-oriented guidance has been used to train over 600 researchers, community member, and resource stewards. In recent updates to the guidance, feedback on the application of the Kūlana to community research scenarios has driven us towards developing a focus on data stewardship, and in particular, Indigenous Data Sovereignty. We will review the ways in which the Kūlana Noiʻi are applicable to developing collaborative relationships regarding the collection, use, and application of data relevant to Hawaiʻi. This processes includes guidance for ensuring that projects working with research data in Hawaiʻi meet Indigenous Data Soveiengity standards and meet their kuleana to ensure that communities have access to and ability to utilize data as well as decision-making power in determining how their information and data are shared.