Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 1, 1 January 2015 — Kūlana Hawaiʻi can help with goals for a healthier 2015 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kūlana Hawaiʻi can help with goals for a healthier 2015

By Aukahi Austin, Ph.D. Anew year is a great time to start on those health changes you've been meaning to make. Kūlana Hawai'i ean help you do it. As a weight-management program sponsored by OHA and HMSA for the past three years, Kūlana Hawai'i has helped over 1,100 people to make health changes, lose weight and live the long, healthy and happy life they've always wanted. As one participant shares: "It has given me peaee of mind. I've lost weight and inches.

I feel better. My health is better. I don't have to go to the doctor as often." We tailor our comprehensive approach so that eaeh participant ean get the exact type of supports needed to be successful. We encourage people to make small changes

mai mey ean K.eep for life instead of big shifts that are hard to maintain. This one-step-at-a-time approach allows habits to form as people find the halanee that is right for them. "The reason that Kūlana Hawai'i has worked for me and others is the combination of exercise, dietitians, psychologists, developing new habits and meeting others in the same boat," says another participant, Arma. Many of our participants are referred by their doctors because of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Others eome because they want to be more active, lose some weight or prevent heahh problems down the road. Adults of all ages, from 18 to 88, have been a part of our

program and have been successful in a variety of ways. Beyond just losing weight and inches, they have more energy, increased their daily physical activity, reduced body pain, improved their diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol, take less medication and generally feel better about themselves. "Even with my numerous ailments, and weight-related problems, Kūlana Hawai'i has taught me that it's not too late to get healthy, lose weight and enjoy life," Arma said. "I was lost. I was headed down the same road as my parents. Eating poorly, never exercising, having diabetes, all kinds of aches and pains. By supporting this program, OHA said to me, 'You are important and being healthy is attainable.' "

"Kūlana" means stature, the way you carry yourself. When people make healthy lifestyle choices, they feel better about themselves. It shows in their kūlana. The health attitude you have on the inside shows on the outside in the habits you have and the choices you make. It's these choices and the way you live your life that will show in the pounds and inches you lose and in the health improvements you see. That's what Kūlana Hawai'i is all about. We are currently open for new enrollment. Kūlana Hawai'i is free for Native Hawaiians and HMSA members. It's a great time to try something new and get started with living healthier! If you would like to join the program or hear more information about Kūlana Hawai'i, please eall us at (808) 525-6234 or visit our website at www.iolalahui.org/kulana. ■ Aukahi Austin, Ph.D., is program directorfor Kūīana Hawai'i, a program ofI 01 a Lālmi, where she also serves as executive director.

KŪKAKŪKA C0MMUNITY F0RUM

Kūlana participants take classes like hula and aqua Zumba at Ala Moana Beach Park, helow. - Courtesy photos: Kūlana Hawai'i