Multi-generational trauma continues today until broken or re-routed leaving Native Hawaiians to deal with addiction, abuse, mental illness, or even death.
It’s true that jails and prisons house a lot of Native Hawaiians who do not know their culture, language, and history. Most cannot identify or choose not to upon release. More than half live even more dangerously producing a state of “suicide by lifestyle.” Encouraging a “healing of culture” within ourselves must happen to replace the resentments and feelings of guilt, bringing an acceptance and tolerance of differences.
Reconnecting Native Hawaiians to the values and restoration of positive cultural pride is important today in raising levels of self-esteem through achievements in cultural advancement.
Healing is moving beyond the hurt, the pain, the disease dysfunction to establish new patterns of living and letting go of the ones that no longer serve us.
– David Kahalewai, Pālolo, Oʻahu
