About
The University of Hawai‘i Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity (UH CIIHE) is committed to fostering systemic transformation to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community-based organization. We accomplish this through a multi-faceted approach encompassing research, policy advocacy, community engagement, student development, direct services, and economic empowerment initiatives.
Goals
- At the community level, investment is being driven into community organizations.
- At the university level, research is co-designed with community and supports ancestral practices done in contemporary application.
- At the government level, Indigenous communities are repositioned as spaces of innovation and their practices and people are thriving.
Initiatives
Research Pillar
Policy Pillar
Student Development
Education and Training
Values
Pewa Framework
The framing principle for CIIHE’s work is called the Pewa Framework, intended to ensure equity, transparency, and reciprocity. A “pewa” is a wedge pattern used in traditional Hawaiian woodwork to prevent splitting and patch holes. It has become a symbol of healing in Native Hawaiian communities of practice.
Partners
Contact
‘Āina-based Organizations Coordinator
Puna Sabagala, MPH
puna.sabagala@hawaii.edu
Research Coordinator
Dejah Fa‘asoa, MPH
dejah24@hawaii.edu
Graduate Assistant
Heejung Sin
sinh@hawaii.edu
CIIHE Alumni
- Johnny Aldan, Jr., MPH (Data & Policy Analyst)
- Sharde Freitas, MPH, JD (Data & Policy Analyst)
- Ikaika Ramones, PhD (‘Āina-based Organizations Liaison)