The purpose of this paper is to outline a set of principles to guide research on the early education of Hawaiian children. The paper discusses what R. Tharp and R. Gallimore term a "climax program," or combination of program elements which produces a desired social outcome. How research efforts can be structured to contribute to the development of the climax program is then examined. It is argued that four principles should guide research: (1) problem-orientation; (2) eclecticism; (3) comprehensiveness; (4) teacher-research collaboration; and (5) continued inquiry. Each principle, and its relevance to research in Hawaiian early education, is discussed in the context of the development of a primary grade reading curriculum at the Kamehameha Early Education Program (KEEP). (Author/APM)