Mapuana Antonio, Finley Johnson, Joan Jensen, Brooke Asing, Kēhaulani Kupihea
Abstract
Culturally grounded programs play a vital role in promoting health, healing, resilience, and wellbeing among Indigenous youth and communities. Mauliola Keʻehi, a community-based program, integrates Hawaiian cultural education, environmental stewardship, and holistic health practices to support Hawai‘i’s communities, and especially, Native Hawaiian youth. Rooted in the Indigenous concept of mauliola, holistic health and wellbeing, the program fosters relationships while honoring ancestral wisdom and practices. This study presents evaluation data collected during the inaugural one-day event honoring King Kalākaua. Post-surveys (n=127) assessed impacts across four major domains: connection to self; connection to community; connection to ‘Āina including the land, fresh water, ocean, and anything that nourishes; and connection to Hawaiian culture. Evaluation data demonstrated positive results with 96% feeling more connected to oneself, 96% feeling more connected to community, 95% feeling more connected to ‘Āina, 98% feeling more connected to Hawaiian culture, and 95% reporting improved wellbeing. Activities such as moʻolelo (storytelling), hoe wa‘a (canoe paddling), and mālama ‘Āina (land stewardship) were especially important in fostering these connections. Findings from this evaluation exemplify how Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental engagement foster resilience and leadership in youth. Recommendations include long-term programming to sustain outcomes and support cultural resilience and revitalization.
