Papakū Makawalu: A Portal For Hānau Ma Ka Lolo

Abstract

Papakū Makawalu is a philosophical and epistemological framework rooted in the Hawaiian worldview. Two working theories were the foundation for study; a common framework that exists among those of us who are Papakū Makawalu practitioners, and Papakū Makawalu facilitates transformational learning. Thus, this multi-case study sought to articulate and unpack Papakū Makawalu and transformational learning from a Hawaiian cultural practitioner perspective. This ʻōiwi-centric research sought to answer three questions: 1) What is Papakū Makawalu?, 2) How does Papakū Makawalu work?, and 3) What is transformational learning from a Hawaiian cultural practitioner perspective? Papakū Makawalu also served as the theoretical framework for this research. Interviews were the primary data collection method; makawalu was the analytical tool for all data sets. An analysis of interview data from all four members of the Papakū Makawalu research team and data articulating my use of Papakū Makawalu revealed three findings: 1) Papakū Makawalu is a cognitive and empirical process that uses a Hawaiian ancestral lens to study and understand the interconnectedness of everything in the natural world the way our kupuna did, 2) The five phases of the Papakū Makawalu methodology were evident in my process of applying Papakū Makawalu learning to PreK-12th grade educational settings and 3) Papakū Makawalu initially begins as a framework for studying and understanding the natural world, but through continuous empirical commitment, the framework evolves into a permanent lens. The learner can potentially be transformed to a level where Papakū Makawalu becomes their lifestyle. To unpack transformational learning, I interviewed three Hawaiian cultural practitioners who are known for their work in training learners through transformative processes. An analysis of this data set indicated that hānau ma ka lolo in a Hawaiian context is achieved through a disciplined process of repetitive connection seeking catalyzed by ritual and maintained through the experiential dedication of the learner. Papakū Makawalu was found to be a framework, methodology, lens, and lifestyle. Learners can be led to the point of puka ma ka lolo, but the individual must then elect and act to extend their transformation to the level of hānau ma ka lolo. Papakū Makawalu catalyzes the progression to hānau ma ka lolo. I captured this process in my resultant theory of expansive hānau ma ka lolo. Recommendations were made for two groups of learners, the Papakū Makawalu novice and Papakū Makawalu practitioners.