Values & Principles
The Hawaiian values and principles that guide our work and relationships
Our Foundation
Our work is grounded in Hawaiian cultural values that have guided Indigenous communities for generations. These values shape how we approach relationships, learning, and community engagement.
We believe that by embracing these values and principles, we can create meaningful, respectful, and lasting relationships that benefit both students and communities.
Guiding Principles and Cultural Wisdom
Cultural Humility
Approaching Hawaiian culture with respect, openness, and a willingness to learn
- Listening more than speaking
- Recognizing that we are guests in Hawaiian culture
- Being open to correction and learning
- Avoiding assumptions about cultural practices
Community Partnership
Building genuine relationships based on mutual respect and shared goals
- Following community leadership and priorities
- Building long-term relationships, not short-term projects
- Ensuring benefits flow to the community
- Respecting community knowledge and expertise
Environmental Stewardship
Honoring the land and supporting sustainable practices
- Learning traditional environmental practices
- Supporting conservation and restoration efforts
- Minimizing our environmental impact
- Advocating for environmental justice
Student Leadership
Empowering students to take initiative and create meaningful change
- Encouraging student voice and agency
- Providing opportunities for leadership development
- Supporting student-led initiatives
- Building skills for lifelong advocacy
Core Values
Pono
Acting with integrity, balance, and justice in all our relationships and work
- Maintaining ethical standards in all interactions
- Seeking balance between different perspectives and needs
- Ensuring fairness and justice in our work
- Taking responsibility for our actions and their impacts
Aloha
Approaching relationships with love, compassion, and mutual respect
- Showing genuine care and concern for others
- Building relationships based on mutual respect
- Approaching differences with openness and curiosity
- Creating welcoming and inclusive environments
ʻĀina
Honoring the land and its people through environmental stewardship and cultural preservation
- Respecting and protecting the natural environment
- Understanding the deep connection between land and culture
- Supporting sustainable practices and environmental justice
- Learning from Indigenous environmental knowledge
Kuleana
Taking responsibility for our actions and their impacts on the community
- Acknowledging our role in creating positive change
- Taking ownership of our mistakes and learning from them
- Understanding our privileges and using them responsibly
- Being accountable to the communities we serve
Cultural Wisdom
As we build this program with care and humility, we ground our efforts in the words of Native Hawaiian scholars and practitioners whose wisdom continues to shape our values. These quotes reflect the foundational spirit of Princeton Pono Pathways—one of listening, respect, and service:
"Education begins with listening."
— Edith Kanakaʻole
Hawaiian educator and cultural practitioner
"Hoʻolohe ka pepeiao, a ʻike ka naʻau."
— Hawaiian Proverb
Traditional wisdom
"The land is the chief, man is its servant."
— Mary Kawena Pukui
Hawaiian scholar and author
"ʻO ka ʻāina ke aliʻi, ʻo ke kanaka ke kauwā."
— Hawaiian Proverb
Traditional wisdom
These ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverbs) guide our approach to learning and community engagement, reminding us to center Indigenous voices, honor the ʻāina (land), and approach every partnership with respect and humility.
Live Our Values
Join us in creating meaningful change through values-based community engagement and cultural learning.