Bachelor of Applied Science

Hawaiian and Indigenous Health and Healing

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.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a concentration in Hawaiian and Indigenous Health and Healing from UH West O‘ahu will be able to:

  • Identify, analyze, document and write about local and global issues affecting Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health and healing within physical, mental, social, and spiritual domains.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and communicate orally aspects of Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health and healing values, methods, and practice.
  • Conduct research involving Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health and Healing issues utilizing cultural research methodologies.
  • Provide solutions to Native Hawaiian and Indigenous healthcare disparities, and ethical and cultural dilemmas through policies, principles, & practices within the fields of social work, public health, and healthcare.
  • Identify and apply Native Hawaiian and Indigenous frameworks, models, values and protocols within health and healing practices.

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.