University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are looking for help from the public for a study on Native Hawaiian resiliency.
The project is gathering stories about overcoming hardships to find out what gives Kanaka Maoli strength in challenging times.
Post-doctorate student Jan Hoeltge is leading the work on the study. He says being immersed in Hawaiʻi’s culture has helped him see the strength of its people.
"Because of the history of Native Hawaiians, they have been challenged with so many adversities. So the question is, what can we learn? What have they done to, let's say, survive all this?" Hoeltge said. "How have they been able to deal with all this oppression with taking away their culture, not being allowed to talk the language? What has helped them?"
"What I've heard so far in the interviews, they're hopeful about the future, things will get better. And then combined with valuing hard work and striving for excellence," he said. "These are so very important, I think, values that help them to be resilient."
Hoeltge says the data collected from the study will be made available to local groups to support the ongoing revitalization of the culture.
Anyone interested in participating can click here for the diary study, and click here for the interview study. You can also call him at 808-439-4979 or email jholtge@hawaii.edu.
This interview aired on The Conversation on March 2, 2022. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.
