Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 1, 1 January 2020 — HĀNA OLA PROJECT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HĀNA OLA PROJECT

MAULI OLA | H EALTH

Personal health is often viewed as an individual s responsibility. But thanks to a $382,000 grantfrom OHA, Hōna Ola, a project based in Hōna, Maui, is helping residents of this remote community learn to take a holistic view of their health, and the health of their 'ohana. The Hōna Ola project is administered as a partnership between Hōna-based Ma Ka Hōna Ka 'lke and the Queen's Medical Center. The goal of the project is to reduce obesity and other cardiovascular diseases among Native Hawaiians, and operates on the premise that community engagement in culturally grounded activities whieh incorporate traditional values and social connectedness will positively impact health and well-being. The project has helped the Hōna community to revitalize its health, nutrition and well-being by creating educational and culturally relevant community-based programs that integrate mind, body and spirit. People are encouraged to participate in aina-based activities such as lo'i restoration and organic agriculture. Community groups are working collaboratively to accomplish tangible goals, from growing produce to harvesting kalo and pounding poi. Hōna school students involved in the program have planted small gardens near the school and are growing string beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and squash. Students, their 'ohana and even kūpuna are able to volunteer at nearby Mahele Farm receiving produce in return for their labor, or they may kōkua in the lo'i kalo at Wailua Nui 10 miles east of Hōna where farmers have successfully fought to retain their water rights and a traditional economy. There, in addition to learning about growing kalo, students also leam how the ecosystem works in harmony and the importance of maintaining flowing streams to preserve native species including 'opae and 'o'opu.

"Our collaboration with Ma Ka Hōna Ka 'lke helps us work more effectively on our shared goal of building community resilience and improving the health of Native Hawaiians throughout the state," said Dr. Todd Seto, Director of Academic Affairs and Research at Queen's Medical Center. More than 40% of Hōna's 1,200 residents are Kōnaka Maoli. The typical Hōna family makes a weekly trip to Kahului to buy groceries; groceries that include many canned goods and other processed foods. Creating opportunities to increase the loeal economy, encourage self-sufficiency, and promote healthier food choicesmeaning that fresh produce grown in Hōna is consumed in Hōna - ean have a profound effect on the community, not just in terms of physical health. "The idea of putting in your own mana and providing food," reflects Hōna Ola Executive Director Lipoa Kahaleuahi, "connects people and changes their mindset." Indeed, integrating Hawaiian values and protocol into their physical work on the aina has been transformative. The program provides on opportunity for parents to become more actively involved with their children. And spending more productive time together growing, making and eating fresh, healthy foods has had a positive impact on these families' lifestyles. Fifth-grade teacher U'i Paman notes, "There's a sense of balance, unity and harmony. We're talking about eating well and working a lot. It's good for the body, mind and spirit." Of the 320 Kōnaka Maoli enrolled in the program, 100% of them have improved their eating habits and increased their physical activity.

Photos: Courtesy of Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike