VISION
The vision of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health is achieving social justice and health equity for the people of Hawaiʻi and citizens in a changing world. In order to foster this vision, we create educational programs that emphasize the reduction of social and health disparities and the promotion of strengths and resiliency. For Ke Aʻo Mau (KAM), we used a framework of a Hawaiian Place of Learning that was interdisciplinary, community-based, and culturally-anchored.
ABOUT US
Ke Aʻo Mau (KAM) grew out of a need for the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health to continue to broaden faculty, student, and alumni understanding of and approach to healing/health through interdisciplinary, culturally-anchored education informed by Native Hawaiian values, practices, and principles.
KAHUA
The unique foundation of the Ke Aʻo Mau program draws from the teachings of kumu loea (expert practitioners). Kumu loea share with haumāna (students) expertise as it relates to social justice and health for Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi.
Ka Māno Wai
"Ka Māno Wai: The Source of Life by Noreen Mokuau, Kukunaokalā Yoshimoto and Kathryn Braun shows why Native Hawaiian practices such as mālama ʻāina (caring for the land), mele (songs) and hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution) are essential to health and social justice."
"The book explores the history of the practices as well as their significance within Hawaiian society, including how they are linked to Native Hawaiian health, family life and spiritual beliefs." -UH PRESS
Supporting Ke Aʻo Mau since 2018
Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation gave a total of $1.395 million to more than a half dozen programs at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2022. Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation is a Native Hawaiian organization whose mission is to empower Native Hawaiian communities through programs that create opportunities for success.
The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health is honored the Hawai’i Pacific Foundation has chosen to continue its support of the Thompson School through funding Ke A’o Mau and associated projects.
Noreen Mokuau, DSW
Retired Dean and Professor Emerita, Dr. Noreen Mokuau envisioned Ke A’o Mau would provide a space to further develop a workforce that is interdisciplinary, community-based and culturally-anchored; be informed by Native Hawaiian knowledge (ʻike), skills, and values; be a resource for community organizations; and provide a space to grow networks of students and alumni.
