Using Native Hawaiian cultural values to strengthen youth resilience, health, and well-being
Kamaehu o ke Kaiāulu: Fostering Community Connections Through Native Hawaiian Cultural Values to Strengthen Youth Resilience, Health, and Well-Being
This project will try a community referral program that connects Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth ages 12–25 to culture-based Kaiona programs to see if it improves mental health and chronic conditions like asthma and obesity.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Waianae, Hawaii) |
| Trial ID | NCT07536256 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot uses a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design to phase community organizations into a referral program connecting youth to Kaiona cultural programs. Participants attend summer (5 hours/day, 4 days/week for 4 weeks) or school-year (2.5 hours/day, 2 days/week for 16 weeks) programs and complete surveys before, immediately after, and at additional follow-ups. The study measures mental health, general well-being, and chronic condition indicators while tracking implementation factors such as fidelity, dosage, and reach. Findings will inform barriers and facilitators for scaling within the Waianae community.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Youth aged 12–25 who live in the Waianae zip code (96792), receive care at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (including school-based clinics), and are identified as 'at-promise' or having mental health or chronic health concerns such as asthma, obesity, or diabetes.
Not a fit: Those who do not live in the Waianae area, do not receive care at WCCHC, are unable to participate in group-based cultural programs, or are screened as not a fit by the onboarding process may not receive benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve mental health and chronic disease outcomes for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth by strengthening cultural connection and community supports.
How similar studies have performed: Other culturally grounded community programs have shown promising improvements in engagement and well-being in smaller or non-randomized work, but rigorous randomized evidence is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * youth 12 to 25 years of age; * live in the Wai'anae zip code 96792; * utilize Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) for their healthcare, including the WCCHC School-based Health Centers; * assessed by WCCHC providers as being "at-promise" or having a physical or behavioral/mental health concern that may benefit from further support from Kaiona CBO Programs. Conditions may include chronic disease risk factors such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, or prediabetes, as well as behavioral health concerns. Exclusion Criteria: * Rather than strict exclusionary criteria, we will rely on the onboarding process that allows for screening for program fit at 4 levels: the referring Pediatric/Behavioral Health provider, the Community Connections Manager, the youth participant/family member, and the receiving CBO. All 4 of these levels will need to assess a potential participant as fit to participate. General considerations include ability to work in groups with other youth, ability to be outdoors for hours at a time, and ability to receive basic instruction and complete basic physical and cognitive tasks associated with the program independently. All 4 layers will also have the opportunity to end the youth's participation in the program at any point if serious safety or health concerns arise for the participant or others involved in the program. If a participant needs to leave a program, the Community Connections Manager will remain engaged with the youth and family to explore other options through the pilot or elsewhere.
Where this trial is running
Waianae, Hawaii
- Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center — Waianae, Hawaii, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: May M Okihrio, MD, MS — Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
- Study coordinator: Kenny S Ferenchak, MD, MEdT
- Email: kenneth7@hawaii.edu
- Phone: 808-697-3433
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.