Executive Summary

The value of public programs lies in their ability to help people be as healthy, productive and self-reliant as possible. We expect these programs to be good stewards of public funds, wisely focusing resources and expertise to support the well-being of citizens. 

Designing and investing in effective public programs is of special concern to Native Hawaiians, the indigenous population of these islands, because statistically they still face disproportionate rates of poor indicators in health, wealth and other social determinants. Native Hawaiians hold the cultural knowledge to establish unique and targeted solutions to improve their own well-being. 

Native Hawaiians have a long history of health, resilience and competence. Pre-contact Hawaiians established an orderly, well-organized society and developed expertise in engineering, ecology, farming, fishing and navigating across vast expanses of open ocean. 

Native Hawaiians continue to be accomplished artists and artisans. They perform hula, songs and chants; create feather work and woven articles; and craft wooden objects, such as canoes, bowls and bottles. Their society values ʻohana (family) and an assured place and a role for all members. 

The first Western visitors found a thriving native populace characterized by strength and good health. Over the past 200 years of colonization, however, Native Hawaiians have been the object of discrimination; suffered depopulation; and had to fight to retain their language, culture and land.

We recognize that Hawaiʻi hosts other ethnic populations that face discrimination, cultural loss and poverty, notably immigrants and migrants from other Pacific nations, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. While the material needs of all may be similar, each group comes with unique differences. For Native Hawaiians, Hawaiʻi is their one and only homeland, so healing injustices and inequities needs to be addressed here.