Our Editorial Standards & Commitment

Our Purpose

ʻŌiwi News exists to uplift ʻike, amplify diverse Native Hawaiian voices, and keep our lāhui informed.

We are a hui of Kānaka ʻŌiwi committed to thoughtful aggregation, contextual storytelling, and responsible dialogue. We operate as a hui to leverage collective intelligence, encourage honest dialogue across differing perspectives, focus attention on the moʻolelo rather than personalities, and protect contributors from targeted harassment. Influence, in our view, should be accountable to community impact — not ego. We are a hui who embraces discourse that moves our lāhui forward.

We are not the definitive voice of Native Hawaiians. Nor do we aspire to be. ‘Ōiwi News takes inspiration from the rich history of nūpepa and seeks to bring that tradition of moʻolelo into the modern age to meet our community where they are, educate on key issues affecting Kānaka ʻŌiwi, and document this moment in time. 

Our work is guided by kuleana, kapu aloha, and a deep respect for the complexity within our community.

How We Choose Stories

We are part of the conversation, but we can’t cover it all. ‘Ōiwi News prioritizes content that elevates ʻike, culture, or historical context; impacts Native Hawaiian communities, encourages informed civic engagement, and sparks thoughtful dialogue rather than division. We ask ourselves, “What is our lāhui talking about? What should we be talking about?” This may include breaking news, opinion pieces, cultural commentary, community updates, and more.

We do our research and will not knowingly share misinformation. Before publishing or reposting, ʻŌiwi News aims to verify original sources and cross-reference reporting when possible. We consider multiple perspectives and potential impacts of certain narratives, making sure to provide context, not just headlines. If a post contains interpretation or commentary, we aim to make that clear. Not all shared content reflects unanimous agreement within our hui. We believe diversity of perspective within lāhui is real and worthy of space.

We are human. If we get something wrong we will acknowledge it publicly and correct it clearly. We promise that we will never quietly delete without explanation unless harm requires immediate removal. Accountability for us is demonstrated through action and transparency in process. While contributors remain unnamed at this time, our values and standards are not anonymous.

Contributing to ʻŌiwi News

We are a community space. We believe strong dialogue strengthens lāhui and want to encourage discussion in all forms. We also believe in kapu aloha. We encourage disagreement rooted in respect, but will not platform doxxing, harassment, or personal attacks. We welcome critique, but will not engage in hostility.

If you would like to contribute to ʻŌiwi News, you can reach us in the DMs or at oiwinews@gmail.com to:

• Submit story tips or news leads
• Pitch an opinion piece
• Offer cultural or historical context
• Share corrections or clarifications

Submissions are reviewed by our hui. We reserve the right to edit for clarity, length, and alignment with our standards. We may publish anonymously upon request or with contributors names when given consent.

Kuleana is plentiful, but kūlana is specific. If you would like to join the ʻŌiwi News hui, reach out and let us know.