Navigating Waters of Positionality: A Native Hawaiian Perspective

Abstract

From a Native Hawaiian perspective, positionality is deeply rooted in our epistemologies and creation stories, guiding my evaluation practice through the principles of my identity and experiences. As a Native Hawaiian male, gay, married, and father, my positionality intersects with a broader ‘ohana (family and community) and personal background that includes a PhD, foster parenting, and living in a mortgage-free home inherited from my husband. My sense of self was profoundly shaped by elders who imparted traditional ways of knowledge and being. This positionality is grounded in a worldview that has preserved Native Hawaiian knowledge systems for centuries. Our Indigenous approach is holistic, systemic, and interdependent, emphasizing the interconnectedness of spirituality, ‘āina (land), and people. It underscores that every part contributes to a greater whole. While this perspective is rooted in Native Hawaiian culture, it holds relevance for all cultures.