He pūkoʻa kani ʻāina
A coral reef grows into an island
He pūkoʻa kani ʻāina, this Olelo Noeau signifies the ability of something small to grow over time into a sustainable, productive, and nurturing being. Native Hawaiian youth (ʻōpio) have the potential to grow into that island with the support of the community and trauma-informed policies that incorporate healing historical trauma.
This research project explored how the difficult history of colonization continues to shape the lives and well-being of Native Hawaiian youth today. By using a talk story approach, the research team listened to the personal experiences of young people and service providers to understand the deep-rooted challenges they face, from overwhelming feelings of sadness to struggles with modern housing, education, and legal systems.
The study highlights that while this historical pain can be passed down through generations, there is also incredible resilience found in cultural pride, a deep connection to ‘āina, and family ties. Ultimately, the project aims to guide the creation of better programs and laws that honor Native Hawaiian values, helping young people restore balance in their lives and reach their full potential.
Presentations
This work was presented at the Reclaiming Lilo: Re-Indigenizing Family Support in Hawaiʻi Virtual Summit in September 2025 as well as at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting 2022 in Boston, MA, and the National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE) virtual conference in December 2022. This research was also shared at the Hawai’i Family Court Symposium in September 2023. Below are photos from these presentations.
