Grounded in the Kūkulu Hou Methodology, this report explores the traditional role of wāhine in Native Hawaiian society and culture. It transitions through contemporary social indicators which impact wāhine at present. Traditionally, Native Hawaiian women contributed to their communities and ‘ohana on multiple levels, but social, political, and economic changes in Hawaiʻi have transformed many ways which wāhine integrate their well-being in Hawaiian culture. The ensuing disconnect from cultural practices, from ʻohana, and with ‘āina led to further disruption in wāhine health. Thus, affecting the overall wellness of the Hawaiian community. Today we understand the social determinants of health affect wāhine across generations in terms of physical health, mental and emotional well-being, partner violence, incarceration, economic well-being, leadership, and civic engagement. To reactivate and revitalize the role of wāhine in Native Hawaiian communities, advocacy across various agencies and organizations is necessary to achieve improved cultural integration in programs and organizations with community-based programming that impact our Native Hawaiian females. We invite you to read the Haumea Report to learn more and consider solutions to transform the health of wāhine.
Since 2000, National Women’s Health Week annual observances start on Mother’s Day. This year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health encourages health screenings, fairs, and other outreach and education opportunities, all of which focus on women’s health from May 13-19, 2018. Annual proceedings from National Women’s Health Week aim to raise awareness and honor the importance of female health. The focus is on the importance of incorporating simple preventive and positive health behaviors into everyday life while heightening awareness to the health needs of women and girls all around the world. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. This is a time where we go the extra mile to show the wāhine in our lives how much they mean to us and us to them.
A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, including Hawai‘i. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is recognized annually via Executive Order 9066, a document that President Roosevelt signed in 1942 two months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, a solemn day for everyone in Hawaiʻi. Each May the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. During May, we recognize wāhine leaders who have been constant advocates for Native Hawaiian well-being.
Visit our Haumea YouTube Playlist to watch stories of inspiration from wāhine leaders, entrepreneurs, and traditional healers who are examples of resilience overcoming statistical norms.
