This qualitative study used narrative data to explore and understand eight Native
Hawaiian college women’s conceptions of identity. The utilization of personal storytelling and
narrative provided opportunities for deeper exploration and understandings of Hawaiian identity.
In addition, the use of Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit), identity performance constructs,
and intersectionality research helped framed the study and provided lenses that acknowledged
the impact colonization, societal expectations, and performance of self had on identity
construction and understanding.
The findings revealed that although all of the women acknowledged the importance of different facets of their identities, their Hawaiian cultural
identities were the most significant for each of them. In-depth interviews enabled exploration of
their definitions and conceptions of Hawaiian identity. Participants reflected on their
experiences involving identity performance, cultural competency, and validation and described
ways in which facets of their identities intersected to create unique lived experiences. In
addition, participants reflected on their university experiences and discussed how the college
experience shaped their understandings of identity.