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

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 th...

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Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2023-02, Vol.20 (4), p.3302
Main Authors: Antonio, Mapuana C K, Keaulana, Samantha, Keli'iholokai, LeShay, Felipe, Kaitlynn, Vegas, Jetney Kahaulahilahi, Pono Research Hui, Waimānalo, Limu Hui, Waimānalo, Ke Ola O Ka 'Āina Research Team And Thought Partners, Ho-Lastimosa, Ilima
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Climate change
Colonization
Culture
Environment
Environmental changes
Hawaii
Health disparities
Health Equity
Health Status
Health surveys
Humans
Lifestyles
Medical research
Native peoples
Nature
Oppression
Resilience
Resilience, Psychological
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph20043302