Hui Malama o ke Kai: Mobilizing to Prevent Youth Violence and Substance Use with Passion, Common Goals, and Culture

Abstract

The goal of the Hui Malama o ke Kai project was the development of a community-based youth program that supported the prevention of youth violence and substance use among 5th- and 6th-grade students from a predominantly Hawaiian community. This program’s development included engaging with a variety of community partners and mobilizing parents through the youths’ cultural development. Recommendations for working with Hawaiians and other indigenous peoples include having program evaluators work more intimately with program participants and developing program components that address ethnic identity and family engagement. In doing so, youth programs with indigenous peoples can also galvanize small communities that are coping with destructive social concerns.