Reflection on “Lessons from Hawai‘i in Building an Ecology of Knowledge”

This article offers five principles aimed at strengthening the original article’s premises. (1) Distinguish epistemologies systematically through clear comparative contrasts. At its core, the “Western” epistemology is focused on identifying and promulgating generalizable truths. In contrast, the Hawaiian/Indigenous epistemology is focused on contextual adaptation. (2) Illustrate conceptually distinct epistemologies concretely. This comment presents two contrasting Hawaiian examples. (3) (a) Understand how evaluation criteria are manifestations of underlying epistemologies . (b) Select and apply evaluation criteria appropriate to the situation . The OECD/DAC criteria fail to value local community and Indigenous values. Hawaiian systems transformation criteria include equity, environmental sustainability, and social justice. (4) (a) Crystalize divergent perspectives to spotlight epistemological differences. (b) Facilitate the possibility of incorporating diverse and divergent epistemologies together with recognition of the danger of diluting the particular and contextual strengths of each. (5) Support equity, justice, and environmental sustainability as universal evaluation criteria.