Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs) were recognized in the 2000 U.S. census as a distinct racial minority group, with unique histories, values, and traditions. The profession of social work, with its historical commitment to social and cultural diversity, has begun to establish a knowledge base on this population in the…

Native Hawaiian women have high cancer rates and low survival rates. As with other women, a major source of support for Native Hawaiian women is their families. This pilot study reports on the feasibility of providing and measuring a culturally appropriate intervention designed to help Native Hawaiian women and their families deal with cancer. The…

Native Hawaiians constitute 401,000 or 0.1 percent of the total U.S. population, with approximately 60 percent residing in the state of Hawai'i. In Hawai'i, Native Hawaiian elders ("na kupuna") face a number of social and health disparities when compared with their non-Native Hawaiian counterparts: higher rates of poverty, greater…

Used oral history methodology to collect information on life experiences of six female elders (kupuna) to identify life themes and cultural values and, more important, to contribute to cultural preservation. Findings revealed three major life themes: relationships with people; relationships with nature; and spiritual and religious beliefs. Results…

Cultural competence is essential in helping people living with HIV cope with the biopsychosocial and spiritual challenges associated with this illness. Efforts to understand the relationship of cultural values and social support practices to health-related behavior have rarely been more critical than in the emerging issue of treatment adherence to…

Discusses the culturally-based social problems experienced by Hawaiians. Culturally appropriate prescriptions for empowerment are derived from an analysis of historical and current social problems. Describes current movements to reestablish native sovereignty and an indigenous community-based economy. (JPS)