Qualitative research has often priviledged Western ways of knowing, which can marginalise Indigenous knowledge and limit how research is done with Pacific communities. While methods such as Talking Circles in Native American communities and Yarning Circles in Aboriginal Australian communities are now recognised as valid research approaches, the potential of talanoa faikava (a kava-based dialogic practice grounded in Tongan and wider Pacific cultures) has not been fully explored in academic research. This paper addresses that gap by proposing talanoa faikava as a culturally grounded alternative to conventional Western focus groups. Drawing on literature about Indigenous research methods, talking circles, Yarning Circles, and talanoa, we position talanoa faikava within ongoing efforts to decolonise research and centre Pacific epistemologies. We show how the faikava setting, with its circular seating, shared kava, and relational protocols, creates a space where participants can speak openly, negotiate identity and belonging, and share sensitive experiences in ways that are often not possible in standard focus groups. Using case studies from the work of Dr Edmond Fehoko and Dr Arcia Tecun, we illustrate how talanoa faikava can reduce hierarchies, support intergenerational dialogue, and turn an existing cultural practice into a rigorous research method. We also discuss key ethical considerations, including relational consent, communal confidentiality, power dynamics, and safe kava use. Overall, this paper argues that talanoa faikava offers a relational, culturally safe, and methodologically robust approach that expands the tools available for qualitative research with Pacific peoples.
Fehoko et al. (Mon,) studied this question.