The evaluation survey findings from both the Loea and KOS consultants converge on several fundamental aspects, signifying a shared appreciation for the grant project. Both groups commend the project leaders for their effective communication of Ka Wai Hāpai’s goals and objectives. Consultants from both camps express satisfaction with how their feedback was addressed, emphasizing a positively collaborative atmosphere. One Loea consultant notes, “I feel that the project leaders truly listened to the knowledge being shared with all of their senses.” Furthermore, there’s a unanimous acknowledgment of the value placed on their time and expertise, creating a foundation of mutual respect and recognition, as articulated by a KOS consultant who says the “experience was uplifting and left me feeling humbled and honored.”

The KOS consultants provide a distinct perspective, illuminating their specific areas of focus. Notably, knowledge organization principles take center stage, with overall positive ratings for how the project incorporated established practices. The consultants underscore the project’s significance, envisioning its growth into the next stage of implementation and emphasizing its potential as a model for other knowledge organization systems. Sustainability emerges as a key theme, with positive feedback on the project’s commitment to passing on knowledge for future generations and valuable suggestions to enhance long-term viability. One KOS consultant emphasizes, “The entire project was based on sustainability,” while another suggests actions to bolster it, including “[implementing the] project and continuing to evolve [it].”

The next group, our Loea consultants, offer unique insights centered around cultural appropriateness and the project’s use of Hawaiian knowledge. Their feedback highlights a deep commitment to respecting and honoring traditional practitioners, emphasizing the project leaders’ attentiveness to the necessary centrality of ancestral knowledge sharing. One Loea consultant emphasizes, “[The project team’s] thought process was not just analytical and thorough from an academic perspective, but it was woven with care and concern for those traditional practitioners who shared valuable insight with them.” While expressing positivity, the Loea consultants also point out areas for improvement, particularly in the resolution of conflicting points of views and opinions, underlining the importance of project leadership needing to take an active role in ensuring a consistently positive experience for all participants. 

The common ground between both groups exists on a positive foundation, with effective communication, feedback addressing, and mutual recognition of value. The KOS consultants bring a nuanced focus on knowledge organization principles, sustainability, and the project’s role as an exemplar for their field, as articulated by their feedback. On the other hand, the Loea consultants spotlight necessary cultural alignment and the project’s impact on Hawaiian knowledge, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and implementation. Together, these perspectives contribute to a rich understanding of the project’s strengths and its path forward, showcasing a sustainable and deeply collaborative journey with diverse insights.