Overview
The Hawaiian and Indigenous Health and Healing concentration strives to create a pathway for the dissemination of traditional healing knowledge and skill that will serve as a model for other indigenous groups. Training in the Native Hawaiian traditional healing practices will focus on hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution), lomilomi (massage), and lāʻau lapaʻau (herbal medicines). An overarching goal is to work towards eliminating health disparities in Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other underserved communities by creating a collaboration between Traditional and Western Medicine. This student-centered concentration promotes the integration of underserved and underrepresented students into an academic and cultural environment that supports educational achievement and economic success.
Internships / Practicums
Internships and practicum sites will be arranged accounting for each individual students healing practice and future goals. Possibilities include working with traditional healers and/or organizations focused on promoting and providing indigenous health such as the John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of Native Hawaiian Health, Papa Oʻla Lokahi and Ke Ola Mamo.
Careers and Earning Potential
A foundation in Hawaiian and Indigenous Health and Healing is a pathway towards graduate education in social work (MSW), public health (MPH), medicine (MD,DO), clinical psychology (PsyD), counseling, or research (PhD). It serves as a supplemental knowledge base when coupled with concentrations in Community Health, Long-Term Care and Health Care Administration.
For more information on careers and earning potential, visit the Hawaiʻi Career Explorer website.
