Strengthening Native Hawaiian community ties to support youth resilience and health
Fostering Community Connections Through Native Hawaiian Cultural Values to Strengthen Youth Resilience, Health, and Well-Being
Local health centers, schools, and community groups are using Native Hawaiian cultural practices to help young people build resilience, get mental health support, and stay healthy during and after the COVID-19 era.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waianae, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11379177 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a Native Hawaiian youth or family in the Waiʻanae area, you would see community health centers, schools, and place-based organizations working together to bring cultural values and practices into wellness activities. Partners will identify young people who need extra support and cross-refer them so care and wellness programs are coordinated across sites. Programs combine traditional Native Hawaiian concepts like lokahi (balance) and connection to ʻāina with trauma-informed approaches and modern mental health supports. The effort aims to reduce barriers to care in under-resourced neighborhoods by meeting youth where they are in the community.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Native Hawaiian young people and their families in the Waiʻanae area, especially those experiencing mental health challenges or limited access to services.
Not a fit: People who are not Native Hawaiian, live outside the Waiʻanae/community partner area, or need highly specialized medical treatments may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve access to culturally meaningful care, strengthen resilience, and reduce mental health disparities among Native Hawaiian youth.
How similar studies have performed: Community-led, culturally grounded programs for Indigenous youth have shown promise for improving resilience and mental health, though approaches vary and local adaptation is important.
Where this research is happening
Waianae, United States
- Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Ctr — Waianae, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Okihiro, May Michiko — Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Ctr
- Study coordinator: Okihiro, May Michiko
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.