UHERO is a research organization at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
As an organization, UHERO does not take positions on policy questions. Our role is to provide evidence and analysis useful to decision-makers and the public, not to advocate for particular outcomes. The findings and conclusions in any UHERO publication are those of its authors, not of UHERO or the University of Hawaiʻi. Different UHERO researchers may even reach different conclusions on the same issue. That is a feature of open inquiry and strengthens the quality of UHERO’s work.
This follows from principles of scholarly research and academic freedom. UHERO faculty and fellows are experts in their fields who choose their own research questions, apply the methods they judge appropriate, and publish their conclusions. The work benefits from discussion and critical engagement among colleagues, but responsibility for the analysis rests with the authors.
UHERO’s funding comes from the university, competitive grants and contracts, and philanthropic contributions from a wide range of supporters and community partners. Research ideas may originate with faculty and fellows, emerge from questions raised by policymakers and community organizations, or develop in areas where UHERO scholars have relevant expertise. These sources of support enable UHERO’s work while preserving scholars’ independence. While external partners and supporters sometimes inform which questions are asked, they never determine what findings are published and are not responsible for the results.
Transparency is part of that independence. UHERO expects its authors and contributors to disclose funding, affiliations, and interests relevant to their work, so readers can weigh the analysis with full information.
Consistent with principles of academic freedom, faculty, fellows, and UHERO researchers are entitled to independently publish, post, speak, and testify on any issue. When they do, they are expected to disclose their affiliation with UHERO and clearly state that the views or opinions are their own and not official UHERO positions.
UHERO publications are intended to stimulate discussion and critical comment. Unless otherwise indicated, they have not undergone formal academic peer review, and the views expressed are those of the individual authors rather than an official position of UHERO or the University of Hawaiʻi.