Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 6, 1 June 2022 — Pu'u Lei o Lili'u: Aunties' Hui [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Pu'u Lei o Lili'u: Aunties' Hui

V E 'ONIPA'A KAKOU V ^ BE STEADFAST *

By Sonny Ferreira "1hrough the collective, kamali'i and 'ohana will thrive." - Richard Likeke Paglinawan Native Hawaiian (NH) kamali'i are disproportionately represented in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems. They are also overrepresented in terms of chronic absenteeism from puhlie schools. However, we know that our kamali'i have the inherent mana and potential to thrive - they just need support from caring community members. Lili'uokalani Trust's strategic plan embraces the vision of Nā Kamalei Lupalupa or Thriving Hawaiian Children. The aim is to change the life trajectories of systems-involved kamali'i and set them on a path toward thriving. This vision is best accomplished through collective eommunity efforts. Pu'u Lei o Lili'u (PLOL), a new LT program, works with the Aunties' Hui, a group formed by representatives from LT, Adult Friends for Youth, Hale Kipa, the Judiciary, the Department of Heahh Child and Adolescent Mental Heahh Division, and the Leeward District Department of Education. Together, PLOL and the Hui are working to address the needs of systems-involved kamali'i and provide a ho'okahua and healing connection for them. Grounded in culture and supportive relationships, PLOL helps 13T8-year-old keiki who are transitioning out of the Juvenile Justice System, involved with the Child Welfare System, and/or who are

struggling academically. With support, they discover their cultural heritage and gain feelings of confidence, worthiness, and comfort that provides a strong foundation for a positive future. The PLOL pilot is on O'ahu and focuses on: 1. Aloha Nui Loa, Queen's Culture: Cultural and spiritual reaffirmation of identity. 2. Education: Building pathways for post-high school educational/ vocational opportunities through social-emotional and cultural learning. 3. Employment: Introduction to employment skills (e.g., interviewing, attire), and career possibilities (e.g., site visits). In eaeh component, shared mo'olelo are the medicine for kamali'i to know their past, be present, and plan for their futures. PLOL recently completed the first step in its pilot program. Kamali'i revealed that through Hawaiian ways of knowing, being, and doing they felt a sense of pu'uhonua (e.g., physical and emotional safety), eonnection to their cultural identity, and confidence. "It was the people who made you feel not a nuisance to be there; they wanted us to see a better future [for ourselves]," one youth shared. This program is opening new doors for kamali'i to connect with peers and adult supporters in an authentic, meaningful ways. This eollective work comes alongside other existing community resources to help our kamali'i heal and obtain the skills they need to thrive. ■ Sonny Ferreira is a direct service specialist at Lili'uokalani Trust. She embraces a Native Hawaiian val-ue-based appwaeh to connect with young people so they feel valued, secure, and confident.