Native Hawaiian Values and Identity: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Kānaka ʻŌiwi Educators and Educator Leaders

The topic of this dissertation in practice is centered around Native Hawaiian identity and the intersection between Native Hawaiian identity and how Native Hawaiian values shape that identity. The purpose was to explore the role that Native Hawaiian values play in shaping the identity of Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians) educators and educator leaders with an aim of advancing the existing scholarship about Native Hawaiian values and identity. A qualitative study using interpretive phenomenological analysis was conducted with 15 Kānaka ʻŌiwi educators and educator leaders from the Hawaiian Islands and the Continental United States, using semi-structured interviews. Major findings were Native Hawaiian values serving as foundational for identity and educational practice, certain values being more influential in shaping identity, and those values evolving to shape participants’ identities over their lifetimes. This dissertation in practice document is organized into three sections. Section 1 is a proposal with a detailed literature review and method for the proposed study. Section 2 is a submission-ready manuscript in alignment with Hūlili, a multidisciplinary research journal on Hawaiian Well-Being. Finally, Section 3 is a practitioner recommendation plan that outlines a new program called Kānaka ʻŌiwi Talk Story and shares my reflections as a practitioner-scholar and my leadership philosophy. Keywords: Native Hawaiian values, Native Hawaiian identity, Kānaka ʻŌiwi, educators, educator leaders

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Hamilton, Taylor Nainoa Miura

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bloomquist, Candace

• Educator Leaders
• Educators
• Kānaka ʻŌiwi
• Native Hawaiian identity
• Native Hawaiian values

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/161576

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/161576