The Community Engagement for Resilient Neighborhoods lab specializes in Community-based Resilience Research Methodology
Our Mission
The mission of CERENE is to support neighborhood-level resilience planning Islandwide. This includes how to best implement actions from the state and local hazard mitigation plans at the neighborhood level using the unique capabilities and resources of Kapi’olani Community College. Through partnership development, civic engagement, community-based research, student service learning, and leveraging existing resources, CERENE will build capacity to reduce natural hazard risk and increase resiliency for a more prosperous and thriving O’ahu, Hawai’i and beyond!
Our Vision
To be a thriving community-based applied research lab supporting the development of a resilience networked improvement community dedicated to a more resilient O’ahu! Together with our community partners, subject matter experts, on-the-ground practitioners, neighbors and friends we strive to improve our community systems’ resilience from the inside out. At the level of the neighborhood, across the island, Hawai’i and the Pacific.
Our Approach
Hikaloi/Hikaloiloi (inspired by Vibrant Hawai’i) | Asset-Based Community Development | Service Learning | Aina-based Learning | Community-based Research | Empowerment Evaluation | Ibasho Design | Equity Centered Design | Indigenous Research Methodology | Collaborative Planning (Hana pū and Hoʻāmana Levels of Community Collaboration and Empowerment) | Mixed Methods Research | Q Methodology | Aloha Evaluation | Carnegie Foundation’s Networked Improvement Community Model
TI-PAR: The CERENE Methodology
The TI-PAR approach (Transdisciplinary, Intergenerational, Participatory, Action-Oriented Research) is at the heart of CERENE’s work. It centers community voices, Indigenous knowledge, and lived experience to create meaningful, sustainable change.
- Transdisciplinary: TI-PAR bridges knowledge across science, culture, governance, and community practice to address challenges holistically.
- Intergenerational: Elders, adults, youth, and children collaborate, honoring wisdom and ensuring continuity.
- Participatory: Community members co-design projects, valuing diverse voices, worldviews, and ways of knowing.
- Action-Oriented: The focus is on creating practical, community-driven outcomes that matter.
- Research: TI-PAR uplifts Indigenous knowledge systems, promotes social justice, and centers those most impacted.
The process begins with co-designing shared goals, then building relationships and gathering knowledge through inclusive methods. Communities and researchers reflect together, co-develop solutions, and share results widely through events, storytelling, and youth leadership. TI-PAR is cyclical—
adaptation and re-engagement ensuring continuous learning, resilience, and impact.
TI-PAR can be utilized in tandem with place-based, culturally informed Indigenous research frames. For CERENE’s work in Hawai’i for example, we have developed our own lei of research best practices for this which lifts up the values of ALOHA the 6 R’s of Indigenous Research Methodology, Kūlana Noi’i, the Ka‘ao Framework and Kapi’olani Community College’s core values of Kūpono, Kuleana, Mālama, Kūloʻaʻa, and Kūlia. We hope to do the same working with community partners for our work in the Marshall Islands and other Pacific Island communities.
Lei of TI-PAR Best Practices (Culturally Informed, Place-based Research Frame for Hawaii specifically) – we are working with our partners in the Marshall Islands on Developing one for our work there as well.
Ka’ao Leadership (and Native Hawaiian Research Framework)
ALOHA Framework supporting Native Hawaiian Epistemology / Lived Practice / and our Lab Values (on top of Kapi’olani CC’s Values).
Kulana Noi’i – Developed by UH Manoa’s Rosie Alagato Lab (LINK HERE TO HER LAB).
Link to Full PDF of Applied Reseach Framework from Rosie’s Lab
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FjP0Wdk7btoaEkG-6xDgNiWptQ-iqigX/view?usp=sharing
The Resilience Corps Leadership Award Program was made possible through funding from our generous donors such as Hawaiian Electric and State Farm. We are seeking new support! Please help keep this great initiative going. You can donate directly HERE, or reach out to UH Foundation and Inquire about supporting the CERENE Program. We have an account just for our Student Leaders.
