Elisabeth was raised in the valley of Kuli‘ou‘ou on the island of Oʻahu. As Kanaka ‘Ōiwi, the island matrix of land, sea, and sky deeply informs her connection to place, and the Hawaiian language and culture are a foundational and instinctive aspect of her life and research.
Since earning an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Religious Studies in 2023, Elisabeth has been pursuing an MA in Religious Studies with the Department of Religions and Ancient Civilizations at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Elisabeth’s curiosity about psychology and religion is driven by the same thing—the complexities of the human condition.
Her current research examines the intersection of gender and religion, with a particular focus on how these phenomena tend to shape women’s experiences and agency. She continues her exploration of Indigenous women’s sacred spaces, knowledge, and rituals related to menstruation and childbirth, aiming to reframe narratives that have historically regulated or marginalized women.
Passionate about uncovering how religion informs gender and identity, Elisabeth’s work seeks to understand the place religion holds within shaping individual and societal beliefs, values, and morals, along with the multi-dynamic roles of women in religious communities and traditions across time and place. Outside her studies, Elisabeth can be found cuddling her cat, Sasha, writing in reflective solitude, or gardening.
Email: eajones@hawaii.edu