Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

There are extensive amounts of psychological research that highlight the needs and experiences of racial ethnic minority populations in general and more specifically minority sexual identities and genders, also referred to as non-heteronormative populations (Alexeyeff & Besnier, 2014). However, there continues to be a lack of representation in the research of Polynesians and an even greater lack of representation of non-heteronormative Polynesians and their experiences (Allen et al., 2011). Māhū, a population of native Hawaiians who identify as non-heteronormative or third gender, are almost completely absent from scholarly work. This study examines the experience of self-identified māhū and how mental health professionals can support them. Qualitative interviews of six Native Hawaiians who identify as māhū were completed. Hermeneutic principles guided the interpretation and analysis of the interviews. Analysis of the interviews produced three main themes comprising seven subthemes. Primary themes included (a) the definition of māhū has changed over time and can be dependent on personal views through a cultural lens (b) the Hawaiian culture provides safety and protection for those who identify as māhū and (c) māhū have suggestions regarding the ways in which mental health practitioners (both Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian) can serve this population.

Hawaii has lost significant numbers of native flora and fauna resulting from introduced grazing animals, invasive flora, fire and a loss of habitat due to urbanization and agricultural use. Scientists believe that protecting these plants can be achieved by eliminating or reducing threats to native ecosystems, generating and maintaining genetic back-up and by outplanting. The Endangered Species Act and Acts 73 and 236 (State Law requiring the use of native Hawaiian plants in State funded projects) were created to protect rare and common native plants and increase the populations and public awareness of these plants. Two surveys and case studies were conducted to determine if and why landscape architects in Hawaii use native Hawaiian plants in their planting plans and to compare use in the public and private sectors. The findings show that the majority of landscape architects use native Hawaiian plants in their planting plans as a result of Acts 73 and 236. Unavailable plant material, unestablished maintenance requirements and difficulty selecting plants for a site are constraints faced by landscape architects that may inhibit their use of native plants. / Master of Landscape Architecture

No description available.

The Hawaiian Constitution of 1840 has often been portrayed as the inescapable end-result of missionary led efforts to overthrow traditional Hawaiian ways of life. This thesis argues that the Constitution was in fact the result of deliberate steps taken by the Hawaiian leadership to defend against growing European and American colonialism in the Pacific. Further, this work will demonstrate that while the Hawaiians adopted the trappings of Euro-American government, the institutions they used to govern themselves remained primarily Hawaiian. Primary source material will be used to detail the process by which the Constitution was written and conduct an in-depth analysis of many of the structures embodied in the Constitution. Contemporary Hawaiian diplomatic efforts will also be discussed as a way of contextualizing the Constitution's place in the midst of colonial ventures and as proof that the Hawaiians were engaged in several efforts to protect their sovereignty.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xiii, 222 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm. +

Thesis (M.A.)--University of California, San Diego, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 2, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-127).

Despite an increasing number of healthy lifestyles throughout the country, Americans, including Native Hawaiians, keep gaining weight. Unlike several American lifestyles that have resulted in weight gain within the American population, the vegetarian lifestyle is a scientifically proven method for decreasing body weight and maintaining the weight loss for more than 1 year. This study aimed to compare the lifestyle patterns of 4 vegetarian lifestyles and 1 nonvegetarian lifestyle among Native Hawaiians aged 21 and older using their body mass index (BMI). This quantitative study utilized a correlational design, which is particularly suitable for examining the relationship of BMI to eating lifestyle and such variables as physical activity. A survey with 18 questions was administered to participants (n = 300) who have chosen a specific lifestyle and have been following this lifestyle for 1 year or more. The main research question investigated the difference in the body weight of Native Hawaiians aged 21 and older who followed and maintained a vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, semivegetarian, or nonvegetarian diet. Participants' BMI was affected by the factors of age, self-efficacy, disease status (high blood pressure, no health risks), and eating habits (Vegetarian Lifestyle Scale). While the Vegetarian Lifestyle Scale was a significant predictor of BMI, there was no significant difference in the effect of the 2 lifestyle classifications of nonvegetarian and vegetarian on BMI, after controlling for other relevant factors. This study aimed to effect social change in the Native Hawaiian community by demonstrating the health benefits of a plant-based diet and better informing public health officials to guide their development of more effective nutrition and weight loss programs for Native Hawaiians.

Variables such as stigma, weak ethnic identity, and cultural mistrust have been linked to the underutilization of therapy amongst ethnic minority populations. As such, ethnic minority populations may reach a higher threshold of distress-including areas such as anxiety and depression-before seeking professional help. While there is substantial research documenting ethnic differences among various ethnic minority populations (e.g., African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics) very little research has been conducted exploring differences among individuals from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) backgrounds. For the current study, we explored differences in distress upon intake as well as the change in anxiety and depression scores over the course of 12 therapy sessions for NHPI college students compared to college students from other ethnic groups. We also explored the effect that spirituality and religiosity had on depression and anxiety among NHPI college students. We collected data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), a practice research network that has aggregated data from hundreds of university counseling centers across the United States, from the years 2012-2015. Our total sample was N = 256,242; of that sample, n = 452 identified as NHPI. We selected independent variables from the Standardized Data Set (i.e., ethnicity, age, gender, estimated socioeconomic status, importance of spirituality and religiosity) and dependent variables from the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 and -34 (i.e., depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety). We analyzed data using latent growth modeling and computed a conceptual effect size by comparing the change in standard deviation between treatment effects. Results yielded significant differences (p < .05) between both intercept and slope estimates for NHPIs compared to African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Whites. Notably, NHPI depression scores improved at the highest rate over time compared to other ethnic groups, while anxiety scores among NHPIs improved at the lowest rate. The effect of spirituality and religiosity on anxiety and depression was statistically insignificant. The results of this study indicated that NHPI college students experience psychotherapy outcomes differently than other ethnic groups, including Asian Americans, with moderate-to-large magnitudes of effect. Considering substantial meta-analytical research supporting the benefits of culturally adapted treatment, results of this study suggest the need to disaggregate the combined demographic Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), as research conducted on this broader group provides questionable validity when applied to clinical settings for NHPIs.

Despite increasing mental health concerns, individuals from the Pacific Islands largely do not utilize the resources available to them (National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2020). This is of particular concern among male adolescents within the population who are more at risk of mental health concerns. An interpretative phenomenological analysis focus group study was conducted in person with male adolescent Pacific Islanders (PI; ages 14–16) residing in one Western state (n = 3). Male adolescents reported that admitting to mental health concerns would greatly limit their academic, career, and personal ambitions due to the stigma attached. They also discussed religiosity as a protective factor and gave a number of individuals within their lives that could potentially be helpful to them in this area. In terms of stigma and perception, some participants described situations in which they discussed their mental health concerns to others within their community and their feelings were dismissed as being invalid or unimportant. In addition, several participants discussed the familial shame they would experience if they were to utilize mental health services. With regard to the cultural fit between practitioners and students, many students explained they felt uncomfortable being vulnerable with therapists outside their ethnic community. They felt that being open with their mental health concerns would give a poor impression of their PI community to therapists outside of their community. More research is needed to discover which groups to target within the community to impact the largest change in perception of mental health services across the community.