Kuaiwi Makua was born and raised in Waiʻanae and Pauoa, Oʻahu. She is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Kuaiwi serves as the Population Health Specialist for Environmental Health, Nutrition, and Oral Health at Papa Ola Lōkahi. Outside of work, she continues her studies in Lāʻau Lapaʻau through Hālau Lapaʻau ʻO Waitātā under the tutelage of Keoki Baclayon. In her free time, Kuaiwi enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and planning her next big adventure.

May is Asthma Awareness Month. You are invited to use our culturally tailored web-based asthma tool for Native Hawaiians. A gift will be provided for your effort.

Are you a Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander and want to share your thoughts around tobacco and vaping?  We want to learn from you. The goal of our REACH project is to talk story with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders to learn more about tobacco use within their communities and culturally appropriate messaging about quitting tobacco use. Each talk story session will last 60 minutes on Zoom. A makana (gift) will be provided as a mahalo for your participation. 

The lāhui has lost a warrior, an advocate, a community organizer, a visionary. We celebrate the life of social worker Steve Kane‘a‘i Morse (1946-2024).

The Native Hawaiian Health & Well-Being Summit - ʻAha Hoʻolōkahi 2025 aims to weave a lei of mauli ola, bringing together pua from all islands, diverse experiences, expertise and walks of life, to celebrate our lāhui and honor the strands of health and well-being.

The community in Las Vegas is working hard, understanding that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are on a waʻa together, and are contributing all they have to ensure that waʻa is strong and ready to support the next generation of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Whether these youth decide to stay on the continent, or move back to their ʻāina, their mākua (parents, aunties, uncles, etc.) are committed to ensuring their waʻa always points to home, and they have what they need to sustain themselves while living in Las Vegas and beyond.