A Report on the Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina: ‘Āina Connectedness Scale

Mapuana C. K. Antonio (), Samantha Keaulana, LeShay Keli‘iholokai, Kaitlynn Felipe, Jetney Kahaulahilahi Vegas, Waimānalo Pono Research Hui, Waimānalo Limu Hui, Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina Research Team and Thought Partners and Ilima Ho-Lastimosa
Additional contact information
Mapuana C. K. Antonio: Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health, Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Samantha Keaulana: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
LeShay Keli‘iholokai: Ke Kula Nui O Waimānalo, Waimānalo, HI 96795, USA
Kaitlynn Felipe: Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Jetney Kahaulahilahi Vegas: Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Waimānalo Pono Research Hui: Ke Kula Nui O Waimānalo, Waimānalo, HI 96795, USA
Waimānalo Limu Hui: Ke Kula Nui O Waimānalo, Waimānalo, HI 96795, USA
Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina Research Team and Thought Partners: Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina Research Team and Thought Partners include Partners across Ka Pae ‘Āina O Hawai‘i including Ho‘okena Community, Hawai‘i Island, Kamāwaelualani, Kaua‘i Island, Maui Island, Moloka‘i Island, Lāna‘i Island, Waimānalo Community, and O‘ahu Island; ke.ola.ka.aina@gmail.com.
Ilima Ho-Lastimosa: Ke Kula Nui O Waimānalo, Waimānalo, HI 96795, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Optimal health from a Native Hawaiian worldview is achieved by being pono (righteous) and maintaining lōkahi (balance) with all our relations, including our relationships as Kānaka (humankind) with ‘Āina (land, nature, environment, that which feeds) and Akua (spiritual realm). The purpose of this study is to explore the role of ‘Āina connectedness in Native Hawaiian health and resilience to inform the development of the ‘Āina Connectedness Scale. Qualitative methods were conducted with 40 Native Hawaiian adults throughout Hawai‘i. Three themes emerged: (1) ‘Āina is everything; (2) Connection to ‘Āina is imperative to health; and (3) Intergenerational health, healing, and resilience are reflected through intergenerational connectedness with ‘Āina. Qualitative findings, supplemented with a scoping review of land, nature, and cultural connectedness scales, led to the development of the ‘Āina Connectedness Scale, which examined the degree to which people feel connected to ‘Āina, with implications for future research. ‘Āina connectedness may address concerns related to health disparities that stem from colonization, historical trauma, and environmental changes and better our understanding of Native Hawaiian health by fostering stronger ties to land. Resilience- and ‘Āina-based approaches are critically important to health equity and interventions that aim to improve Native Hawaiian health.

Keywords: native Hawaiian; Indigenous; health; land; community-based; qualitative; scale development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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