Lani Teves

Lani Teves is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Women’s Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she also earned her BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies. She holds an MA in American Studies from UH Mānoa and a PhD in American Culture from the University of Michigan (2012). As a Kanaka Maoli feminist, she is deeply committed to public education and student mentorship in Hawaiʻi.

Her research centers on Hawaiian life on the margins, informed by Indigenous feminist methodologies and ʻŌiwi epistemologies. Key areas include Kanaka Maoli gender performance, sexuality in the Pacific, Hawaiian hip-hop, film, and recognition politics. She is developing new research on Hawaiian women in the diaspora and leading an oral history project with queer or LGBT kupuna.

Dr. Teves has made significant contributions to the fields of Indigenous feminism and Pacific Islander cultural studies. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges American culture, gender, and decolonial theory. Though no specific publications or awards are listed, her research trajectory indicates a strong commitment to community-engaged and culturally grounded scholarship.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Teves is dedicated to mentoring students through her teaching and leadership. While no formal advisees or grant funding are mentioned, her role as Department Chair and her public commitment to nurturing students reflect her investment in academic development and institutional support.

Labs and Research Teams:
She is initiating an oral history project with queer and LGBT kupuna, which may involve collaborative research teams and community partnerships. This project reflects her commitment to preserving Indigenous knowledge and amplifying marginalized voices within the Kanaka Maoli community.