Overview of the capstone project: Due to the extensive nature of the project that I have taken on, the entirety of the project extends beyond the time allotted for a typical Capstone Project. I am working with Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui, a non-profit that is dedicated to preserving Kealakekua’s cultural heritage, to conduct a policy analysis of Kealakekua Bay’s Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) to understand how effective it is in protecting the bay’s marine resources and safeguarding Native Hawaiians’ rights to access the bay of subsistence fishing and cultural practices. I have spent the Fall and Spring semesters developing the methodology for the project, preparing for fieldwork, and gathering research materials needed for the policy analysis. This summer, I conducted ten interviews with kūpuna (elders), long-term fishermen, lineal descendants, community members, and associated government officials to better understand their interactions with the bay and how the MLCD and government management may play a role in these interactions. For my capstone project, I have outlined the methodology and process for the policy analysis and reflect on my experiences thus far working on the project and its potential implications for future MPS capstone projects. Effective community engagement necessitates building trust and understanding through shared values and personal connections, enhancing research quality and impact. Integrating relationality formally and informally into the methodology of research projects can foster lasting partnerships with marginalized communities and ensure meaningful contributions to both community and conservation efforts. The MPS program has the potential to support the development and strengthening of community-institutional partnerships by providing much-needed labor to ongoing and future projects that address community needs.