{"id":220035,"date":"2025-08-11T13:52:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T23:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=220035"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:52:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T23:52:25","slug":"kupuna-interview-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/11\/kupuna-interview-project\/","title":{"rendered":"K\u016bpuna Interview Project showcases Indigenous-centered research"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"kupuna
(Photo courtesy: Jena Funakoshi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The power of intergenerational storytelling and Indigenous-centered research through the voices of Native Hawaiian k\u016bpuna was spotlighted in a new University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa study.<\/p>\n

\"a
(Photo courtesy: Jena Funakoshi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The K\u016bpuna Interview Project, published in the American Journal of Community Psychology<\/em><\/a>, offers a 360-degree view of lived experiences shared by elders across Hawaiʻi<\/span>. It was developed through a partnership between 糖心视频<\/abbr>M\u0101noa\u2019s H\u0101 K\u016bpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders<\/a>, housed in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health<\/a>, and ALU LIKE, Inc., a non-profit that supports Native Hawaiians with programs that foster self-sufficiency, well-being and cultural values.<\/p>\n

Adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project used three Zoom interviews per participant to foster deep pilina (relationships). These talk-story sessions revealed rich narratives on family traditions, cultural practices, childhood memories and encounters with the healthcare system. In total, 30 k\u016bpuna participated in the study.<\/p>\n

“This article format privileges the voices of participants in research and highlights how research can have a positive impact on participants as well as on researchers,” said first author Rachel Burrage, Thompson school associate professor.<\/p>\n

In recognition of their contributions to the project, k\u016bpuna received personalized video and print transcripts, along with a two-page story to pass on to their moʻopuna<\/span> (grandchildren).<\/p>\n

Emotional, cultural value of study<\/h2>\n

Community feedback underscored the emotional and cultural value of the project.<\/p>\n

“I love telling stories, so having the memories of my stories living on for my moʻopuna<\/span> (grandkids) really means a lot,” said Aunty Lovey (Leverne Toki). “More k\u016bpuna deserve to have their stories heard, and more of our keiki deserve to connect with their culture.”<\/p>\n

More k\u016bpuna deserve to have their stories heard, and more of our keiki deserve to connect with their culture.
—Leverne Toki<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Monique Ocampo, from Molokaʻi<\/span> and raised in Kapaʻakea<\/span>, added, “This interview process has the potential to be a medicine that can help others. The only criterion is that you make a difference in someone’s soul.”<\/p>\n

For student researcher Keilyn Kawakami, the work was personally meaningful. “As a Hawaiian who did not grow up in Hawaiʻi<\/span>, this project has been an opportunity to connect with my culture and deepen my understanding of Kanaka Maoli traditions.”<\/p>\n

The K\u016bpuna Interview Project stands as a model for community-based research grounded in kuleana, pilina and the enduring power of story for future generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The study uplifts Native Hawaiian kupuna voices through Indigenous-centered storytelling and research.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":220051,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[1133,1465,1363,158,244,596,9],"class_list":["post-220035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research","tag-aging","tag-manoa-native-hawaiian-place-of-learning","tag-manoa-research","tag-publication","tag-social-work","tag-myron-b-thompson-school-of-social-work","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t