Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 4, 1 April 2006 — A Howaiian well-being model [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Howaiian well-being model

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has provided the Hawaiian community with a vaiiety of programs and projects over the past 25 years. These programs were designed to meet the expressed needs of Hawaiians as assessed by the Hui 'Imi Task Force in 1989 and published in "Through Collective Actions Vol. 2" in 1991, OHA's 1988 Master Plan and the 1989 "I Luna A'e, OHA's Functional Plans." These plans reflected the goals and objectives to meet the expectations of the vaiious Hawaiian communities in OHA's early years. In 2000, trustees reviewed these plans, consulted with the community to create the 2002-2007 OHA Strategic Plan. In 2005, trustees amended, extended and retitled the OHA Strategic Plan for 2006 through 201 1. Unsurpiisingly, the issues of Hawaiians with greater needs have not changed. However, in the last 15 years, OHA's programs have grown in number, breadth and depth. The programs have covered a broad range of subject areas and even attempted to treat the symptoms of the many social ills that result in the Hawaiian community's negative social statistics when compared to the rest of Hawai'i's residents. In 2000, as a result of vaiious organizational realignments, program planning and discussions around the need for data, research and evaluation, an opportunity arose to bring to OHA University of Hawai'i faculty willing to share their experiences and mana'o. A eollaboration began that researched and traced the past, assessed and evaluated the present and methodically developed an indigenous, human ecological model that supports Hawaiian well-being. Wellness and well-being begins with the family. Hawaiian well-being is enhanced by addressing specific relational issues within the 'ohana and the environments witliin whieh the 'ohana exists. There exists a direct link between families and communities. Communities are an aggregate of 'ohana, and families are susceptible to the forces of the larger community. Community building strategies are ultimately intended to strengthen thebonds within 'ohanaby promoting eommon ideals related to positive parenting and family values, providing eeonomie opportunities.

poliheal empowerment and the reduction of substance abuse. In its simplest form, the general intent of community building is to harness the collective power of families to move forward towards eommon objectives, creating a protective web. The self-determined, resilient Hawaiian family at its ophmum is the foundation for a thiiving, productive and supportive Hawaiian eommunity. The numerous communities of tlniving Hawaiian families will support the nation and heeome responsible stewards of the 'āina as a people. A Hawaiian well-being model is a human ecological model whieh examines the eiiīieal relationship between various human systems (natural environment, society, community, 'ohana). It promotes an understanding of: • how human systems interact and effect eaeh other; • providing insights into the etiology of social problems; and • how to best address them. Thus, we ean examine the relationship between sliifts in the political economy, environmental change and the well-being of the 'ohana over time. With tliis model of Native Hawaiian Well-Being, OHA tmstees ean be provided with the information needed to meet their fiduciary responsibilities. The Hawaiian Well-Being Paradigm was developed as a template for program development for Native Hawaiians. The concept was developed over a period of eight months with three consultants from the University of Hawai'i: Doctors Jon Matsuoka, Paula Morelli and Davianna McGregor. Dr. Miehael Spencer of the University of Michigan also participated in the discussions. Tliis paradigm focuses on Hawaiian well-being at four levels: 'ohana, community, nation and 'āina. The inclusion of Hawaiian values, concepts and traditions are used through out the paradigm. It is perhaps a restatement of what our kūpuna enjoyed. If we grow resilient Hawaiians, they will create strong, resilient 'ohana; strong, resilient 'ohana will support better working and living communities; strong, resilient, working and living communities ean develop and support a nation that is self-determined and in control of its land and resources. Given that, now, where shall we go from here? Stay tuned! As always, my staff and I invite your eomments on the above or any other concerns witliin our purview. My OHA access numbers are: phone 594-1854, fax 594-0210 and email address dantec@oha.org. Mālama pono, a hui hou. E3

Dante Keala Carpenter TrustEE, O'ahu