Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 1, 1 January 1996 — Hawaiians accepted in Iargest public health lobby [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians accepted in Iargest public health lobby

Hawaiians now have a stronger voice in the national public health arena. The American Public Heakh Association has officially welcomed and included native Hawaiians in one of its caucuses. The move will strengthen the voice of Hawaiians on the national lobby-

ing scene for better health coverage and benefits, says Babette Galang, OHA health and humans services specialist. "Being a part of this organization is also a valuable resource for reviewing health programs being used by other native people to eombat serious degenerative health eonditions such as diabetes, substance abuse and cancer," Galang said. Galang was also named to the planning/program committee, and OHA volunteer Rhoda Kaluai was named secretary of the American Indian Alaska Native Caucus. The news was announced as part of the 1995 annual meeting in San Diego of the 50,000-member organization — the largest organization of public heakh professionals in the world. In a welcoming gesture, "Papa" Henry Auwae, Po'okela of Kūpuna La'au O Hawai'i, was invited to participate in the ceremonies and take part in a panel discussion with four other native healers. These healers included an Apaehe, Navajo, Kumeyaaye and an Alaskan native named Walter Austin who also happens to have ancestors from Hawai'i and Japan.

Western medicine hears traditional healing perspective Additionally, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs health and human services division, participated in an important heahh symposium organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs, called "Hawai'i Symposium on Healing Alternatives," held Oct. 17, 1995 in Honolulu. The symposium showcased the different ways native Hawaiians, native Americans and Asians view the healing process. A full day was spent in exploring Hawaiian healing ways some of the workshops included: "The Healing Power of Aloha" by Paul Pearsall, PhD., "La'au Lapa'au" with Henry Auwae; "Lomilomi" with Margaret Machado, "Ho'oponopono" with Ulunui Garmon and Hinano Paleka. "The symposium was wonderful, tru!y inspiring and thought-provok-ing," commented Galang. The purpose was to introduce western-trained physicians, nurses, psychologists and other allied health personnel to disciplines based on centuries-old knowledge about healing, 'il

"Papa" Henry Auwae (left) with native Alaskan healer Walter Austin.