Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 5, 1 May 2017 — A Thriving New Taro Patch on Moku o Keawe [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Thriving New Taro Patch on Moku o Keawe

Editor's note: By invitation, this eolumn was written by Cīaren Kealoha-Beaudet, Psv.D. and Franco Acquaro,

Ph.D., respectiveīy the executive director and associate director of Kīpuka o ke 01 a - Native Hawaiian Heahh Clinic. II I f\\C\ kō'ele huli " * I X a mahi - an uncultivated taro I patch awaiting I >all who are willing to work" (Mary Kawena Pukui, 'Ōlelo No'eau, 1983). In Waimea, at the north end of Moku o Keawe, one such

taro patch has been lovingly cultivated by many helping hands. It is especially important to note that the hana (labor) was completed by the elinie 's providers who are raising pula pula (baby plants) in the community and are participating members of the Waimea lāhui. In March 2017, Kīpuka o ke Ola (KOKO) - Native Hawaiian Health Clinic completed the renovation of its new ADA-compliant health facility. In addition, it completed a rigorous federal accreditation process to become the first Independent Rural Health Clinic in the State of Hawai'i, earning an Exemplary Provider Award for demonstrating Outstanding Healthcare Delivery Practices. This designation ensures that KOKO's practice standards are of the highest quality and allows us to more effectively serve our medically underserved community, especially those individuals with Medicaid and Medicare insurances. KOKO now offers the residents of North Hawai'i a full array of health care services including Primary Care and Behavioral Health services. By utilizing a Patient-Centered Medical Home model, KOKO ean meet the comprehensive health needs of eaeh family it serves

by providing coordinated care across the multiple health disciplines - all in one convenient location.

The cultivation of this particular "taro patch" has taken plaee over the course of the last six years and has been a labor of love by many, including eollaborative partnerships with the following key individuals and organizations: Keaulana Holt & Papa Ola Lokahi's Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program; Mike Hodson & the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders' Association; Diane Paloma

& the Queen's Health Systems; Dr. Earl Bakken & Medtronic; and Joseph and Holly Baker. Their collective mana'o, kōkua, advocacy and linaneial support has been so invaluable. The next "planting" in this taro patch will be the inclusion of Indigenous Healing Practices alongside the existing Primary Care and Behavioral Health offerings. This will likely include lā'au lapa'au, lomi lomi, lā'au kahea, and ho'oponopono practices. While KOKO serves all the residents of its community, it recognizes the special kuleana it has to address the dire health disparities often experienced by Native Hawaiians. This means that KOKO strives to provide culturally-competent care, within a diagnostic and treatment framework that understands and incorporates the role of Native Hawaiian values andpractices, and recognizes the negative impact of colonization and the resulting intergenerational legacy of negative health outcomes. KOKO will have its grand opening celebration and blessing on May 13, 2017, from 10:00-noon at 64-1035 Uilani Plaza in Waimea, Big Island. Eo Kīpuka o ke Ola! ■

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. Trustee, Hawai'i