Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian health board, is embarking on a nationwide listening tour entitled "He Alo a He Alo" to engage with Native Hawaiians living in Hawaiʻi and across the United States. The tour will visit every state, inviting participants to share perspectives on what it means to be Hawaiian, and the advantages and challenges to maintaining their cultural identity.

Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian health board, is embarking on a nationwide listening tour entitled “He Alo a He Alo” to engage with Native Hawaiians living in Hawaiʻi and across the United States. The tour will visit every state, inviting participants to share perspectives on what it means to be Hawaiian, and the advantages and challenges to maintaining one’s cultural identity. This initiative aims to gather valuable insights and experiences to better understand and support Hawaiians in all communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the United States.

If you wish to participate in this project, you will be asked to take part in a talk-story session with no more than nine other kānaka. The conversation will take about two hours. We are seeking Native Hawaiian adults (18 years of age and older) to share their mana‘o.

To mahalo participants, you will receive a makana for your time and effort. We want to assure you that there is minimal risk involved in participating in this project. While we may discuss sensitive topics during the focus group, we will always maintain a respectful and safe environment. If at any point you feel stressed or uncomfortable, you have the option to skip a question or take a break. You may also choose to withdraw from the project altogether.  We expect the utmost respect from all participants and Papa Ola Lōkahi staff involved.

Your participation in this talk-story is entirely voluntary. You can choose whether or not to be part of the discussion sessions, and you can change your mind at any time. If you decide to stop, there will be no negative consequences or loss to you.

We sincerely hope that you will consider being part of this exciting project, as your unique perspective and experiences are invaluable to Papa Ola Lōkahi better understanding our lāhui.

For more information or to sign up to join the talk-story session, contact Papa Ola Lōkahi at kanakaconnections@polhi.org.

Listening Tour Schedule

2024 Location Downloadable Flyer State profile
Aug 2&3, 2024 UTAH Sandy, Orem, Layton UT
Aug 9, 2024 Nashville, TN Nashville TN
Aug 15&16, 2024 Long Beach, CA Long Beach CA
Aug 25, 2024 Santa Ana, CA CA
Sept 2&3, 2024 Corvallis, Beaverton, OR Corvallis, Beaverton AM, Beaverton PM OR
Sept 5, 2024 Vancouver, WA Vancouver, WA WA
Sept 28, 2024 Anchorage, AK Anchorage, AK AK
Oct 13, 2024 Santa Ana, CA Santa Ana 10-12, 1-3 PM, 4-6 PM CA
Oct 26, 2024 Atlanta, GA Atlanta, GA GA
Oct 27, 2024 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN MN
Nov 4, 2024 Lomita, CA Lomita CA
Nov 17, 2024 Arlington, VA Arlington 2PM VA
Dec 9, 2024 Tacoma, WA Tacoma, WA WA
Dec 10, 2024 N. Seattle/Lynnwood, WA WA
Dec 11, 2024 Federal Way, WA WA
Dec 16 & 18, 2024 Tampa Bay, FL Tampa 12/16, 12/18 FL
Dec 17, 2024 Orlando, FL Orlando 12/17 FL
2025 Location Downloadable flyer State Profile
Jan 3-5, 2025 Phoenix, AZ AZ
Jan 11-12, 2025 Kansas City, MO MO
Jan 24-27, 2025 West TN, KY
Feb 2025 Cleveland & Columbus, OH OH
Feb 27-Mar 6, 2025 NC, SC, WV
Mar 29, 2025 Spokane, WA WA
Mar 31, 2025 MT MT
Apr 5-6, 2025 San Diego, CA CA
Apr 12-13, 2025 Lansing & Grand Rapids, MI MI
Apr 15-16, 2025 Chicago, IL IL
July 2025 Las Vegas, NV NV

Program Staff

  • Sheri-Ann Daniels, EdD, CSAC

    Chief Executive Officer

  • Samantha Keaulana Scott, PhD

    she/her/ʻo ia

    Director, Data, Research & Evaluation

  • Bridget Antonio

    Specialist, Office of the CEO

  • Melissa Kahili-Heede

    she/her/ʻo ia

    Research Program Coordinator

  • Kilohana Haitsuka

    Research Program Coordinator

  • Mahinalani Cavalieri

    Data & Research Specialist

  • Martin “Kaleo” Kaolulo

    Kakoʻo

  • Dayna Pa

    she/her/hers

    Executive Assistant to the CEO

  • Ke’alohi Worthington

    she/her/hers

    Data & Research Coordinator

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