Ho‘okele ka Wa‘a: Recalibrating the Sail Plan for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the Ocean Sciences

• DOI: 10.5670/oceanog.2024.137
• Publication Date: 2023-12-21T18:55:41Z
• Authors: Haunani Kane; Anela Choy; Barb Bruno; Diamond Tachera; Kekuʻiapōiula Kel...; Jennifer Wong-Ala; John Burns; Clifford Kapono; Kailey Pascoe; Kainalu Steward; Rosanna Alegado
• Keywords: Native Hawaiians; Wonder

In Hawai‘i and across much of Oceania, Pacific Islanders celebrate the connections between our islands ocean that surrounds us. Since beginning time, we have relied upon precise observations marine celestial realms to intentionally navigate thousands miles vast expanses open ocean. Through migrations, created—and continue create—purposeful relationships by observing movements swells, weather patterns, bodies, life. direct opposition colonial Western thought, view Oceania as a metaphorical road connects rather than separates island people (Hau’ofa, 1994). As descendants ocean, dearth Native Hawaiians (NHPIs) in science seems inconsonant. We wonder, where are all sciences? better defining persistent, systemic, collective barriers NHPIs face within society academy, identify gaps conventional professional development programs aimed at minoritized groups geosciences been unsuccessful filling. share lessons learned from building two wa‘a (canoes) center oceanic ways knowing.