Hawaiian Culture Scale- Adolescent (HCS-A)

Abstract

The Hawaiian Culture Scale-Adolescent (HCS-A) is a comprehensive psychological instrument designed to measure the degree of cultural orientation, knowledge, and practice among Native Hawaiian adolescents. Developed by Hishinuma and Andrade et al. in 2000, the scale assesses several dimensions of cultural affiliation, ranging from personal beliefs and language proficiency to engagement in traditional activities and political causes related to Hawaiian rights. The HCS-A is widely used in clinical and research settings focused on understanding how cultural involvement serves as a protective factor for adolescent mental health and identity development within the context of contemporary Hawaii.

Keywords

Hawaiian culture, Native Hawaiian, adolescence, cultural orientation, cultural identity, psychometric properties, cultural protective factors, Psychological Assessment

Authors

E. S. Hishinuma, N. N. Andrade, J. J. McArdle, R. H. Miyamoto, S. B. Nahulu, G. K. Makini, Jr., Y. C. Yuen, S. T. Nishimura, J. F. McDermott, Jr., J. A. Waldron, K. L. Luke, A. Yates

[quads id=5]

Purpose

The primary purpose of the HCS-A is to systematically quantify and evaluate the level of adherence and knowledge an adolescent possesses regarding traditional and contemporary Hawaiian culture. This measurement is crucial for researchers and practitioners studying the relationship between cultural connectedness and positive health outcomes, particularly in indigenous populations.

The scale serves to identify specific domains—such as language use, traditional practices, and political activism—where adolescents demonstrate stronger or weaker cultural ties. This detailed information allows for targeted clinical interventions that leverage cultural strengths, thereby enhancing the relevance and efficacy of mental health services for Native Hawaiian youth.

Construct

The HCS-A measures the multi-faceted construct of Cultural Orientation or Cultural Affiliation within the Hawaiian context. This construct is not monolithic but is operationalized through seven distinct subscales, reflecting that cultural involvement encompasses knowledge (e.g., folklore), behavior (e.g., lifestyle activities), belief (e.g., customs), and political engagement (e.g., causes). The scale seeks to capture both passive exposure to culture and active participation in cultural practices.

Validity

The psychometric properties of the HCS-A were rigorously explored in the original 2000 study by Hishinuma et al. Construct validity was established through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which supported the hypothesized seven-factor structure. This validation confirmed that the items effectively measure the intended dimensions of Hawaiian culture, including Lifestyles, Customs, and Political Causes, demonstrating that the tool accurately assesses the complex nature of cultural orientation among adolescents.

Reliability

Reliability analyses conducted during the development phase demonstrated strong internal consistency across the derived subscales. The original study reported high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for most subscales, indicating that the items within each domain are highly interrelated and measure a unified construct. This consistency confirms the scale’s ability to provide stable and dependable measurements of cultural identity and practice over time.

Factor Analysis

Factor analysis of the HCS-A supported a structure composed of seven distinct, yet interrelated, factors, corresponding directly to the seven subscales proposed by the developers. This robust structure allows researchers to analyze specific aspects of cultural involvement rather than relying solely on a single aggregate score. The defined factors include Lifestyles, Customs and Beliefs, Activities and Social Events, Folklore and Legends, Causes-Locations, Causes-Access, and Language Proficiency. This seven-factor model provides a nuanced understanding of how cultural exposure manifests in the adolescent population.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological scale/Cultural orientation measure

Format: Mixed format, including Likert-type scales (1-5 or 1-3), frequency ratings, and checkbox demographic questions.

Language Available: English (with Hawaiian terms integrated)

Population Group: Adolescents of Native Hawaiian ancestry

Age Group: Adolescent population (Specific age range typically 12–18, though not explicitly stated in the source)

Population Details: Developed primarily for use with youth residing in Hawaii who identify as Native Hawaiian or have significant Hawaiian heritage.

Test Methodology: Assesses cultural learning sources, language ability, value systems, knowledge of customs and beliefs, participation in traditional lifestyles and social events, familiarity with folklore, and awareness of political causes related to land and access rights.

Keywords

Cultural identity, indigenous youth, psychometrics, language proficiency, cultural practices, traditional knowledge, Hoʻoponopono, cultural beliefs, cultural exposure, Culture

[quads id=5]

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected] (E. S. Hishinuma, likely affiliated with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii).

Correspondence Address: Not specified in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was developed and published in 2000. Information regarding specific permissions and licensing fees should be directed to the primary author, E. S. Hishinuma. The instrument, including the subscales and items, was published in academic sources, suggesting it is generally available for research use, often requiring direct contact with the authors or referencing the sourcebook where it appeared.

The original PDF of the instrument can be downloaded here: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/projects/pmap/docs/hishinuma_hcsa.pdf

Reference’s

• Hishinuma, E. S., McArdle, J. J., Miyamoto, R. H., Nahulu, S. B., Makini, Jr., G. K., Yuen, Y. C., Nishimura, S. T., McDermott, Jr., J. F., Waldron, J. A., Luke, K. L., & Yates, A. (2000). Psychometric Properties of the Hawaiian Culture Scale-Adolescent Version. Psychological Assessment, 12(2), 140-157.

• Bell, C.K., Goebert, D. A., Andrade, N. N., Johnson, R. C., McDermott, J.F., et al. (2001). Sociocultural factors influencing adolescent preference and use of native Hawaiian healers. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 9(4), 224-231.

• Hishinuma, E. S., Andrade, N. N, et al, (2000). Hawaiian Culture Scale- Adolescent (HCS-A). In Fischer, Joel., Corcoran, Kevin J. (2007). Measures for Clinical Practice and research: A sourcebook. (4th ed.). NY. Oxford University Pr. Vol. 1, Page (s): 540-543.

[quads id=5]

Items of the Hawaiian Culture Scale- Adolescent (HCS-A)

General Cultural Exposure and Values:

1 = not at all, 3 = somewhat, and 5 = very much

1. I learned about the Native Hawaiian way of life from my family at home.
2. I learned about the Native Hawaiian way of life from school.
3. I learned about the Native Hawaiian way of life from friends and neighbors.
4. Check anyone in your household who can carry on a conversation in Hawaiian:
   • _____ Yourself
   • _____ Mother (primary female caregiver)
   • _____ Father (primary male caregiver)
   • _____ Grandmother
   • _____ Grandfather
   • _____ Other ____________________
   • _____ None (specify)
5. What language is primarily spoken in your home?:
   • _____ Standard English
   • _____ Pidgin English
   • _____ Hawaiian_____ Other ____________________ (specify)
6. Rate your ability to understand the Hawaiian language.
7. Rate your ability to speak the Hawaiian language (circle one).
8. How much do you value Hawaiian beliefs, behaviors and attitudes?
9. How much do you value Non-Hawaiian beliefs, behaviors and attitudes?
10. How important is it to you to maintain Hawaiian cultural traditions?
11. Do you have any Hawaiian blood?
    • _____ Yes
    • _____ No
    • _____ Don’t Know

    If you answered yes above, se‎lect the one choice below that describes you:

    • _____ Pure (100%) Native Hawaiian
    • _____ Half (50% or more) Native Hawaiian
    • _____ Less than half (less than 50%) Native Hawaiian

Customs and Beliefs:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You understand or believe in, 3=You practice custom

1. Family home blessed by Hawaiian priest or kahuna
2. Taking part in Native healing practices (ho‘oponopono, lomilomi)
3. Offerings at heiau
4. ‘Aumakua
5. Kapu System
6. Learning genealogy/ origin of family
7. Formal passing of knowledge from generation to generation
8. Hō‘ailona –signs of nature
9. Lōkahi
10. ‘Ohana
11. Aloha ‘āina

Lifestyles:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You know how to do, 3= You do

1. Net fishing
2. Taro farming
3. Limu picking
4. ‘Opelu fishing
5. Trolling
6. Making poi
7. Drying fish
8. Hunting

Activities & Social Events:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You know how to do, 3= You dodon’t know

1. Hula
2. Chanting/playing music
3. Listening to Hawaiian music
4. Listening to Hawaiian radio stations
5. Merry Monarch
6. Hawaiian clubs
7. Canoe paddling
8. Lei making
9. Hawaiian crafts
10. Baby lu’au

Folklore & Legends:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You understand, 3= You believe in

1. Nightmarchers
2. Menehunes
3. Pele
4. Ti leaf as protection
5. Kahuna

Causes-Locations:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You know about, 3= You believe in support

1. Waiahole/Waikane
2. Waimanalo Beach
3. Sand Island

Causes-Access:

1= Unfamiliar/don’t know, 2= You know about, 3= You believe in support

1. Access rights to the ocean
2. Access rights to the mountains