Moani Pomare, a student at Kapiʻolani Community College, won a 2024 National Conference of Undergraduate Research Presentation Award for her work in mathematics, blending Hawaiian cultural knowledge with academic inquiry. She was one of only two students nationwide to receive the award and chosen for the excellence of her work in the Mathematical, Computing and Statistical Sciences Division.
Pomare’s project, Kākau and Mathematics: A Multicultural Perspective on Traditional Hawaiian Tattoos, examines the mathematical principles embedded in kākau, the traditional Hawaiian tattoos. These kākau, significant in Native Hawaiian culture, symbolize genealogy and balance, using geometric shapes such as equilateral triangles.
“My research journey has been a deeply personal exploration of my heritage and how traditional Hawaiian practices, like kākau, are inherently connected to mathematical concepts,” said Pomare. “By uncovering these connections, I hope to demonstrate the ways in which culture and education can intersect, offering new perspectives.”
Hawaiian storytelling frameworks
As a returning adult student, Pomare is starting the radiologic technology program. Her mentors, Assistant Professor John Rader and Li-Anne Delavega, undergraduate research experiences coordinator, helped guide her project, which uniquely used Hawaiian storytelling frameworks to present her findings.
“We are proud of Moani’s success, which underscores the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into education,” said Delavega. “Her research showcases the unique contributions of Hawaiʻi’s students and the potential for cultural practices to inspire and enhance mathematical understanding on a national level. Her achievement highlights the value of interdisciplinary research and the contributions of Native Hawaiian students in academic discourse.”
Pomare’s work and travel were supported by three grants—National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Bridges-to-Baccalaureate, Title III Advancing Indigenous Scholars and Title III Strengthening Community College Partnerships grants.
