‘Āina is everything. We are ‘āina. 

In this study, Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina used community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches and partners with Native Hawaiian communities to explore the role of connecting to ‘Āina as a demonstration of Native Hawaiian health and resilience. 

Together, researchers and community partners explored the construct of ‘Āina connectedness through qualitative interviews and focus groups across four different Hawaiian islands. The collection of stories and information gathered was developed into a survey, which has been validated for organizations to utilize. 

The survey gives organizations the opportunity to demonstrate how their programs and participants value ‘Āina connectedness and are resilient + healthy because of their interdependent physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual relationship with ‘Āina. 

Extensions of Ke Ola O Ka ‘Āina strives to understand ‘Āina connectedness through the lens of Native Hawaiian keiki to kūpuna.