‘A‘ohe ipu ‘ōpio e ‘ole ka mimino i ka lā.

No immature gourd can withstand withering in the sun.
‘Ōlelo No‘eau: No child can get along without adult care.

Improving Native Hawaiian Health and Well-Being

Founded in 1988, Papa Ola Lokahi is a 501(c)(3) that embodies the holistic approach that brings together mind, body and spirit in the pursuit of optimum health and well-being for Native Hawaiians.

Kauhale

Community Health Initiatives

Innovative and Incubated Projects

Data and Research

Health Workforce

Hawaiian Health Policy

Corporate Communications

What’s New

  • Private: Meet Us Monday – Dayna Pa

    Dayna Pa lives in Makiki but her ʻohana is from Molokai. While growing up in Hoʻolehua, Dayna attended Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Before working at Papa Ola Lōkahi, she worked at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for almost 19 years. Dayna worked for Trustee Colette Machado for 17 years as her secretary, Trustee Aide, and Board Secretary. She also worked for Trustee Brendan Kaleiʻāina Lee as his Trustee Aide for two years.

    Dayna loves working at Papa Ola Lōkahi. In the short time she has been at POL, she has seen how POL has impacted the health of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Dayna Pa enjoys getting to know her coworkers and seeing the wonderful work they do in the community.

    Published On: April 29th, 2024Categories: Blog

  • A day to honor Hawaiians in naturopathic medicine

    On the birthday of Dr. Alexander Ka‘ōnohi, we honor Hawaiian naturopathic physicians

    Published On: April 24th, 2024Categories: Blog

Events

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Dr. Alexander Friedenburg Ka‘ōhiai Ka‘ōnohi, born on this day in 1905, combined the mana of his kūpuna with the modern science of his times. A naturopathic physician, pharmacist, botanist, and healer, Dr. Ka‘ōnohi was beloved by family and patients alike. He was also a mentor and a teacher, who personally sponsored other Hawaiians in their healing pursuits whether nursing, medicine or lā‘au lapa‘au. Today his legacy continues through the work of Naturopathic doctors like Dr. Landon Kalaua‘e ‘Ōpūnui. As executive director and medical director at Nā Pu‘uwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System, ‘Ōpūnui and his team serve the islands of Lāna‘i and Molokai, including Kalaupapa. Hau’oli Lā Hānau Dr. Alexander Friedenburg Ka‘ōhiai Ka‘ōnohi! Mahalo for your ‘ike and kōkua to your community. Read more about both kauka here: polhi.org/Naturopathic #EOlaMau #CultureAsHealing
Happy Earth Day! * ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, one of our Na Makawai partners, recently organized a huaka‘i to Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe to immerse its members and colleagues into the soul and spirit of the island.  The island’s history of assault, resistance and recovery was the perfect venue for continuing medical education conference around *Climate, Trauma, Healing.* The greening of the island inspired hope and restoration for the health and healing professionals. The participants learned that to heal ourselves, we must have a connection with the ‘āina and care for it to the best of our ability. Physically and spiritually, we are learning and living the legacy of co-founder Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, Healing an Island, Healing a People, Healing a Lāhui. * Mahalo nui: the huaka‘i was hosted by the all-volunteer members of @kahoolawe and supported by @kahoolaweislandreserve. POL is pleased to support this educational activity and two members of our staff were able to participate. * #alohaaina #kanaloa #kanaloakahoolawe #climatechange #Hawaiianhealing #healingfromtrauma #eolamau @ahahuionakauka
Hawai’iʻs experience of climate change is acute due to our location in the middle of the Pacific. Sea level rise, extreme weather and temperatures, and greenhouse gas emissions are large-scale hazards that have small-scale consequences, leading to the development of physical and mental health conditions, and creating other social inequalities. Toxicologist Dr. Diana Felton and JABSOM professor Dr. Elizabeth Kiefer gave a briefing to the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection in 2022. They outlined Hawai’i-specific climate hazards and spoke to how these changes can contribute to civil unrest and food shortages. On an individual level, it can worsen allergies, and skin conditions, and contribute to various physical and mental health conditions Heal the earth, heal ourselves, e ola mau. To learn more about the 2022 briefing visit polhi.org/HEER #EOlaMau #EarthDay
#Repost @kaiwakiloumokucenter ・・・ Ike aku la o Hiiaka i ka waiho kahelahela o ke kula o Kuilima, ua hele a memele pu i ka pua o ka ilima. Hiʻiaka saw the broad expanse of the plain of Kuilima that had become entirely yellow-gold with ‘ilima blossoms. —“Ka Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele”, Kuokoa Home Rula, 13 Aukake 1909 ʻIlima (Sida fallax) is most recognizable by its fragile, brilliantly colored flowers, which range from light yellow (hā lenalena, ōkea)bright yellow (melemele) and light orange to dull red (‘ilima ʻulaʻula) or even slightly greenish. Its habitat varies, but it is often found in coastal, dry, or rocky areas called wao ‘ilima. ‘Ilima can grow low across the ground or more upright as a shrub. The critically endangered honeycreeper ʻainohu Nīhoa (Nīhoa finch), which lives only on the island of Nīhoa, feeds on ‘ilima flower buds. Pua ‘ilima (‘ilima blossoms) are often made into gorgeous and delicate lei, which require several hundred to a thousand blossoms strung in the style of kui pololei (flowers strung lengthwise through their centers). Lei makers tend to gather the flowers before the sun comes up. Lei ʻilima were favored by Queen Emma Kaleleonālani and made to honor visiting aliʻi nui, but were not reserved for royalty alone. In the practice of lāʻau lapaʻau, pua ‘ilima have many uses primarily related to wāhine hāpai (expectant women) and their babies. Juice squeezed from the flowers makes a mild laxative for pēpē. Māmā can consume pua ‘ilima in their seventh month of pregnancy to make the impending birth easier, and to help encourage milk production after baby is born. And well-masticated flowers can even be fed to week-old infants to help curb their hunger for longer periods of time. The Territorial Legislature designated ʻilima as the flower of Oʻahu in 1923, but it thrives naturally throughout our pae ‘āina—from Hawaiʻi to Kauō (Laysan) in Papahānaumokuākea. Where have you seen ‘ilima growing? ✍️: @justmiala
Traditional Hawaiian healing practices, including lā'au lapa'au, or herbal healing, have been a part of our culture for thousands of years, healing our people – mind, body, and spirit. These practices have been maintained for generations and revitalized across Hawai’i in recent years, protected by the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act in 1988. Being recognized as a traditional medicine opened the door for lā'au lapa'au to be administered as an alternative to Western medicine, giving kanaka maoli more options when seeking treatments. The ʻHo‘oilina Pono A‘e: Integrating Native Hawaiian Healing to Create a Just Legacy for the Next Generationʻ study published last year, affirmed the value of lā'au lapa'au in healthcare and as a form of preservation for ancestral knowledge. To learn more about the study and lā’au lapa’au, visit polhi.org/Laau #EOlaMau #CultureAsHealing
The Merrie Monarch Festival serves as a reminder that hula is a vital tool of cultural preservation and well-being. In the last 10 years, hula has been the focus of multiple research studies measuring its mental, spiritual, and physical benefits. Hula is now recognized as a form of physical activity that doctors can recommend as heart health therapy. To learn more visit polhi.org/HELA #EOlaMau #CultureAsHealing #Hula Other sources: polhi.org/EHuiAnaResourceKit | polhi.org/HulaMETs
Movement can play a huge role in supporting our overall health and wellbeing. Dancing can be difficult when our cardiovascular system is stressed by smoking – Mai puhi paka! If you missed our PSA during Merrie Monarch last night, you can view it anytime on our YouTube channel! #EOlaMau #MerrieMonarch #Hula #DontSmoke #PSA #HulaHalau #OleloHawaii
Rain or shine, the Papa Ola Lokahi staff will be at the Merrie Monarch Craft Fair at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium all week. We are sharing information to to help you quit smoking or vaping, and mental and behavioral health resources. Come spin the wheel and win a cool prize. We will be stylin' at the craft fair until tomorrow afternoon.
Dr. Alexander Friedenburg Ka‘ōhiai Ka‘ōnohi, born on this day in 1905, combined the mana of his kūpuna with the modern science of his times. A naturopathic physician, pharmacist, botanist, and healer, Dr. Ka‘ōnohi was beloved by family and patients alike. He was also a mentor and a teacher, who personally sponsored other Hawaiians in their healing pursuits whether nursing, medicine or lā‘au lapa‘au. Today his legacy continues through the work of Naturopathic doctors like Dr. Landon Kalaua‘e ‘Ōpūnui. As executive director and medical director at Nā Pu‘uwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System, ‘Ōpūnui and his team serve the islands of Lāna‘i and Molokai, including Kalaupapa. Hau’oli Lā Hānau Dr. Alexander Friedenburg Ka‘ōhiai Ka‘ōnohi! Mahalo for your ‘ike and kōkua to your community. Read more about both kauka here: polhi.org/Naturopathic #EOlaMau #CultureAsHealing
Happy Earth Day! * ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, one of our Na Makawai partners, recently organized a huaka‘i to Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe to immerse its members and colleagues into the soul and spirit of the island.  The island’s history of assault, resistance and recovery was the perfect venue for continuing medical education conference around *Climate, Trauma, Healing.* The greening of the island inspired hope and restoration for the health and healing professionals. The participants learned that to heal ourselves, we must have a connection with the ‘āina and care for it to the best of our ability. Physically and spiritually, we are learning and living the legacy of co-founder Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, Healing an Island, Healing a People, Healing a Lāhui. * Mahalo nui: the huaka‘i was hosted by the all-volunteer members of @kahoolawe and supported by @kahoolaweislandreserve. POL is pleased to support this educational activity and two members of our staff were able to participate. * #alohaaina #kanaloa #kanaloakahoolawe #climatechange #Hawaiianhealing #healingfromtrauma #eolamau @ahahuionakauka
Hawai’iʻs experience of climate change is acute due to our location in the middle of the Pacific. Sea level rise, extreme weather and temperatures, and greenhouse gas emissions are large-scale hazards that have small-scale consequences, leading to the development of physical and mental health conditions, and creating other social inequalities. Toxicologist Dr. Diana Felton and JABSOM professor Dr. Elizabeth Kiefer gave a briefing to the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection in 2022. They outlined Hawai’i-specific climate hazards and spoke to how these changes can contribute to civil unrest and food shortages. On an individual level, it can worsen allergies, and skin conditions, and contribute to various physical and mental health conditions Heal the earth, heal ourselves, e ola mau. To learn more about the 2022 briefing visit polhi.org/HEER #EOlaMau #EarthDay
#Repost @kaiwakiloumokucenter ・・・ Ike aku la o Hiiaka i ka waiho kahelahela o ke kula o Kuilima, ua hele a memele pu i ka pua o ka ilima. Hiʻiaka saw the broad expanse of the plain of Kuilima that had become entirely yellow-gold with ‘ilima blossoms. —“Ka Moolelo Kaao o Hiiakaikapoliopele”, Kuokoa Home Rula, 13 Aukake 1909 ʻIlima (Sida fallax) is most recognizable by its fragile, brilliantly colored flowers, which range from light yellow (hā lenalena, ōkea)bright yellow (melemele) and light orange to dull red (‘ilima ʻulaʻula) or even slightly greenish. Its habitat varies, but it is often found in coastal, dry, or rocky areas called wao ‘ilima. ‘Ilima can grow low across the ground or more upright as a shrub. The critically endangered honeycreeper ʻainohu Nīhoa (Nīhoa finch), which lives only on the island of Nīhoa, feeds on ‘ilima flower buds. Pua ‘ilima (‘ilima blossoms) are often made into gorgeous and delicate lei, which require several hundred to a thousand blossoms strung in the style of kui pololei (flowers strung lengthwise through their centers). Lei makers tend to gather the flowers before the sun comes up. Lei ʻilima were favored by Queen Emma Kaleleonālani and made to honor visiting aliʻi nui, but were not reserved for royalty alone. In the practice of lāʻau lapaʻau, pua ‘ilima have many uses primarily related to wāhine hāpai (expectant women) and their babies. Juice squeezed from the flowers makes a mild laxative for pēpē. Māmā can consume pua ‘ilima in their seventh month of pregnancy to make the impending birth easier, and to help encourage milk production after baby is born. And well-masticated flowers can even be fed to week-old infants to help curb their hunger for longer periods of time. The Territorial Legislature designated ʻilima as the flower of Oʻahu in 1923, but it thrives naturally throughout our pae ‘āina—from Hawaiʻi to Kauō (Laysan) in Papahānaumokuākea. Where have you seen ‘ilima growing? ✍️: @justmiala