LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Papa Ola Lōkahi

Robert K. Lindsey, Jr. Trustee, Hawai'i

We continue our series on Advocacy for Native Hawaiian Health. In January, Michelle Tueber, Executive Director for Hui Mālama O Nā 'Ōiwi, did an overview of the Native Hawaiian Health System for Hawai'i Island. In this issue, Kim Birnie, Public Information Officer for Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL), and others do an overview of POL.

Papa Ola Lōkahi was created in 1988 to help improve health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. The comprehensive 1985 E Ola Mau report first described the status of Hawaiians, including health, which provided Congress the foundation to pass the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act in 1988, reauthorized as the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (NHHCIA) in 1992. This legislation identifies three programs that address Native Hawaiian Health: Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems (NHHCS) and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP).

Papa Ola Lōkahi (POL) serves the needs of the NHHCSs to better provide direct services to their communities. We do this in areas of workforce development, research and training, data collection and information dissemination, planning and resource development, traditional healing, health promotion, advocacy, technical assistance. Other POL projects serve the health care needs of Hawaiians throughout the continental U.S., as well as Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native and Native Pacific Islander populations in Hawai'i and the Western Pacific.

POL currently administers 'Imi Hale – Native Hawaiian Cancer Network and the Pacific Diabetes Education Program, research, education and capacity-building efforts addressing two chronic diseases deadly to Kānaka Maoli. Clay Park has joined POL to institute the Native Hawaiian Veterans Project, an education program for our warriors and their service providers. Maile Tauali'i has returned home to enhance our Health Data Institute with the establishment of the Native Hawaiian Epidemiology Center.

The Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems comprise five community-based organizations that serve the community-defined health care needs on seven islands. Most offer health education and prevention programs, outreach and case management, and primary and mental health care. To access health care services for you or your 'ohana, call:

• Ho'ola Lāhui Hawai'i (Kaua'i and Ni'ihau) – 808-240-0100

• Ke Ola Mamo (O'ahu) – 848-8000

• Nā Pu'uwai Inc. (Moloka'i and Lāna'i) – 808-560-3653

• Hui No Ke Ola Pono (Maui) – 808-244-4647

• Hui Mālama Ola Nā 'Ōiwi (Hawai'i) – 808-969-9220

The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) supports the education and training of students in several primary and mental health professions who then serve in medically underserved, rural communities in Hawai'i. With an emphasis on service, the goal is to build a workforce that will make seeking health care services by Native Hawaiians both accessible and acceptable. To date, the NHHSP has funded 186 scholars in 26 disciplines. More information on this program, and how to apply by April 19, 2009, can be found at nhhsp.org.

The NHHCIA also establishes the unique relationship the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has with Papa Ola Lōkahi as a member of the board of directors, thus reinforcing the importance of health. OHA has met this charge in advisory and advocacy capacities, and by funding activities through Papa Ola Lōkahi or directly with the NHHCSs. Some of these include:

• Facilitating kupuna councils of healers to organize and meet periodically.

• Building the capacity of each NHHCS to better serve the health needs of its community.

• Promoting messages of healthy living, available services and programs on its radio and community television shows.

• Increasing health education and screenings at community health fairs, cultural events and Hawaiian gatherings throughout the Islands.

• Developing curricula and programs to interest students in health care professions.

• Planning for long-term care services for kūpuna.

And the Hawaiian community offers many resources that further the voyage toward health and wellness. Among POL's many partners are 'Ahahui o nā Kauka, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Queen's Medical Center, community health centers, Alu Like, churches, voluntary health organizations, medical school, state health department, all of whom actively seek to improve our health status.

Mahalo to Trustee Lindsey for championing our wellness and all the OHA trustees who continue to support Native Hawaiian health initiatives. Another child of Hawai'i Island, Palikapu Dedman, once exclaimed, "Every leader in the Hawaiian movement should be concerned with our health. No leader wants to lead a nation of sick kānaka!"

To contact Papa Ola Lōkahi, call 597-6550 or visit papaolalokahi.org. E ola mau!