Introduction
The Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent (HCS-A) is a 50-item self-report inventory that assesses how far adolescents know of, believe in, value and practice elements of traditional Hawaiian culture. Earl S. Hishinuma and colleagues published it in 2000 in Psychological Assessment, and it has received more than 85 citations.
The HCS-A was developed in a study of over 3,400 adolescents and measures cultural affiliation among Native Hawaiian youth. This guide explains its subscales, scoring and evidence.
Key Features of the Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent (HCS-A)
Purpose and Use
The HCS-A measures cultural orientation, knowledge, values and engagement. It evaluates how strongly adolescents connect with traditional Hawaiian practices and lifestyles, and supports research on enculturation and adolescent development.
Target Population
The HCS-A is intended for high school-aged adolescents, aged about 12 to 18.
Structure
The HCS-A has 50 items. The core subscales are:
Subscale
What it covers
Items
Lifestyles
Traditional daily practices and food preparation
8
Customs
Spiritual and religious traditions, such as home blessings, 'aumakua (ancestral guardians) and healing practices like ho'oponopono or lomilomi
11
Activities
Participation in music, dance and arts
10
Folklore
Knowledge of traditional myths, legends and stories
5
Causes–Locations
Awareness of land, water and fishing rights
3
Access Causes
Views on mountain and ocean access
2
Language Proficiency
Ability to understand and speak Hawaiian
2
Nine additional items do not contribute to the subscales. They ask from whom the Hawaiian way of life was learned, about use of Hawaiian at home, the value of Western beliefs and Hawaiian blood quantum.
Scoring Method
The HCS-A uses mixed response formats:
Most items: a 3-point scale (1 = unfamiliar or don't know, 2 = you understand or believe in it, 3 = you practice the custom).Language items: the two items on understanding and speaking Hawaiian use a 5-point scale (1 = not at all, 3 = pretty good, 5 = excellent).Subscale scores: average the item ratings within each subscale to build a profile of cultural affiliation and practice.Some sources describe a 5-point scale (1 = not at all, 3 = somewhat, 5 = very much) for all subscale items, so check the version you use. The HCS-A does not use clinical or diagnostic cut-off scores; it is a continuous measure of cultural attachment, practice and affiliation.
Administration Format
The HCS-A is a self-report inventory.
Applications of the Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent (HCS-A)
The HCS-A supports several uses:
Research on enculturation: studying the role of culture in adolescent development and mental health.Multicultural research: understanding multiculturalism among young people in Hawai'i.Culturally sensitive assessment: assessing cultural affiliation in Indigenous youth.Languages and availability
The HCS-A was developed in English for adolescents in Hawai'i. A copy of the scale is available from Columbia University, and the instrument is described by the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and listed in PsycTESTS.
Reliability and Validity
The HCS-A was developed through a study of over 3,400 adolescents and has shown strong psychometric properties.
Validation studies:
Psychometric properties of the Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent Version (2000): study linkLimitations and Considerations
Keep these points in mind:
Culturally specific: the HCS-A is designed for Native Hawaiian adolescents.Response format: sources differ on whether subscale items use a 3-point or a 5-point scale.No cut-offs: the scale has no clinical or diagnostic cut-off scores.Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
Adult or general versions of the HCS have been adapted from the adolescent framework to evaluate adult Native Hawaiian well-being, enculturation and community health.
These questionnaires are related:
Hawaiian Cultural Identity Scale (HCIS): cultural orientation, involvement and importance of Hawaiian culture, mainly for older teens and adults'Āina Connectedness Scale ('Āina-CS): Indigenous youth's ecological and spiritual connection to the land and environmentCultural Connectedness Scale (CCS): identity, ancestral knowledge and community ties in First Nations, Métis and Inuit youthAwareness of Connectedness Scale (ACS): perceived interrelatedness of the individual, family, community and natural world in Alaska Native youthMultigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM): ethnic identity search, belonging and affirmation across ethnic groupsAdditional Resources
The original article: linkFor inquiries, contact Earl S. Hishinuma, Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, at earlhish@aol.com.Browse more pediatrics questionnaires in the ResRef database.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent measure?The HCS-A measures how far adolescents know of, believe in, value and practice traditional Hawaiian culture, across subscales such as lifestyles, customs, activities, folklore, causes and language.
How is the HCS-A scored?Most items are rated on a 3-point scale from unfamiliar to practicing the custom, and the two language items use a 5-point scale. Item ratings are averaged within each subscale to give a profile.
Who is the HCS-A for?The HCS-A is intended for high school-aged adolescents, about 12 to 18 years old. It was developed with over 3,400 adolescents in Hawai'i to assess cultural affiliation among Native Hawaiian youth.
Does the HCS-A have cut-off scores?No. The HCS-A does not use clinical or diagnostic cut-off scores. It is a continuous inventory of the degree of cultural attachment, practice and affiliation.
A Word from ResRef About the Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent (HCS-A)
The Hawaiian Culture Scale–Adolescent Version (HCS-A) stands as a rigorously validated instrument for measuring cultural affiliation among Native Hawaiian youth. Developed through a comprehensive study of over 3,400 adolescents, this 50-item inventory offers researchers and clinicians valuable insights into the role of enculturation in adolescent development and mental health. Its strong psychometric properties and multicultural framework make it a significant contribution to culturally sensitive assessment in Indigenous populations, and it shows the importance of culturally grounded instruments in understanding the interplay between cultural identity and psychological well-being.
References
Hishinuma, E. S., Andrade, N. N., Johnson, R. C., McArdle, J. J., Miyamoto, R. H., Nahulu, L. B., Makini, G. K., Yuen, N. Y., Nishimura, S. T., McDermott, J. F., Waldron, J. A., Luke, K. N., & Yates, A. (2000). Psychometric properties of the Hawaiian Culture Scale--Adolescent Version. Psychological Assessment, 12(2), 140–57. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.12.2.140