The Kūlana Noi‘i (research standards) provide guidance for building and sustaining not just working partnerships, but long-term relationships between communities and researchers. These kūlana (standards) are intended to be flexible enough to apply to a range of different communities and to reflect on the perspectives and responsibilities of both communities and researchers.
While focused on scientific research, the kūlana provide helpful guidance for agencies wishing to more effectively engage communities.
The Kūlana Noi‘i were developed with support from the University of Hawai‘i, the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve, the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, and Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (KUA). This partnership was developed around a goal of promoting more collaborative and mutually-beneficial partnerships between University of Hawai‘i faculty and students conducting research and the local communities who care for and utilize natural resources.