Title

Addressing Economic Disparity Through Cultural Reengineering Among Native Hawaiians

Type

Presentation

Authors

Ng, L. S W M. & Cashman, K. A.

Abstract

Native Hawaiians are the most economically disenfranchised ethnic group living in Hawai‘i. Many have often attributed their situation to a lack of education and/or economic opportunity. However, there is another possible factor that could be contributing to this situation. This factor is culturally rooted in the Native Hawaiian notion of economic production and profit. The following paper will initially survey the current economic disparity facing Native Hawaiians and then go on to explain the Native Hawaiian cultural understanding of economic production and profit, illustrating its differences with the capitalist-based notions of economic production and business profit. The paper will then conclude by offering what can be done to reengineer traditional Native Hawaiians economic beliefs that may work to culturally assist Native Hawaiians address the economic problems most of them face.

Citation

Ng, L. S. W. M., & Cashman, K. A. (2017). Addressing Economic Disparity Through Cultural Reengineering Among Native Hawaiians. Presented at 2017 Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, Hawaii.