Publications

Okamura, K. H., Cramer, M. A.*, Palafu, T.*, Helm, S., Dalisay, F., Primack, Z.*, Carreira Ching, D.*, Goshgarian-Miller, S.*, Liu, M.*, Chin, S. K., Marshall, S. M., Saladino, P. A.*, Kon, Z. K.*, Song, S. D.*, Yamane, R.*, Yoshizumi-Kim, N.*, Rapadas, C. C.*, & Okamoto, S. K. (2026). Hoʻouna Pono: A 20-year journey of designing, implementing, and sustaining prevention for rural, indigenous communities. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 21(31), 1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-026-00715-8 ℹ️

Primack, Z., Palafu, T., Goshgarian-Miller, S., Liu, M., Chertavian, C., Rapadas, C., Yamane, R., An, K., Chin, S., Okamoto, S., Okamura, K. (in press). Bridging Culture and Prevention: Facilitators of Success in a Culturally Grounded Drug Prevention Program for Rural Hawaiian Youth. Translational Issues in Psychological Science. ℹ️

Rapadas, C., Goshgarian-Miller, S., Yamane, R., Carreira Ching, D., Primack, Z., Yoshizumi-Kim, N., Palafu, T., Chin, K., Almanza, P., Park, A., Okamoto, S. K., & Okamura, K. H. (unpublished manuscript). Localizing Prevention: Insights from Youth Voices on Culturally Grounded Substance Use Prevention Implementation in Windward Oʻahu. Translational Issues in Psychological Science. Frontiers in Public Health. ℹ️

Song, S.*, Kon, Z.*, Stephens, T.*, Saladino, P.*, An, K.*, Carson, A.B.*, Okamura, K. H., Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Kaholokula, J. K., Subica, A., Pokhrel, P., & Okamoto, S. K. (2025). Gendered motivations for e-cigarette use among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth: A relational–cultural perspective. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 37(8), 705-711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539525138414

Marshall, S. M., Saladino, P. A.*, An, K. J.*, Song, S. D.*, Stephens, T. A.*, Carson, A. B.*, Chin, S. K., Okamura, K. H., Subica, A., Pokhrel, P., Kaholokula, J. K., & Okamoto , S. K. (2024) Adult familial influences on rural Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youths’ e-cigarette use. Substance Use and Misuse, 59(14), 2047-2054. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2024.2392540

Okamoto, S., Subica, A., Okamura, K.H., An, K.*, Song, S.*, Saladino, P.*, Carson, A.*, Kon, Z.*, Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Kaholokula, J. K., Pagano, I., & Pokhrel, P. (2024). Exploring youths’ offers to use e-cigarettes in rural Hawai‘i: A test development and validation study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(11), 1427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111427 ℹ️

Okamoto, S. K., Subica, A. M., An, K. J., Okamura, K. H., Song, S. D., Saladino, P. A., Carson, A. B., Stephens, T. A., Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Wills, T. A., Kaholokula, J. K., & Pokhrel, P. (2024). Exploring Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youths’ e-cigarette resistance strategies: Implications for tobacco product use prevention. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 35(2), 692–706. ℹ️

Okamoto, S. K., Okamura, K. H., Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Carson, A. B.*, An, K. J.*, Song, S. D.*, Saladino, P. A.*, Prado, G., & Kulis, S. S. (2024). Examining implementation determinants of a culturally grounded, school-based prevention curriculum in rural Hawai‘i: A test development and validation study. Implementation Research and Practice, 5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/26334895241262823 ℹ️

Okamoto, S., Subica, A., An, K.*, Okamura, K. H., Song, S.*, Saladino, P.*, Carson, A.*, Stephens, T., Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Wills, T., Kaholokula, J., & Pokhrel, P. (2024). Exploring Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youths’ e-cigarette resistance strategies: Implications for health promotion and disease prevention. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 35(2), 692-706. DOI: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/928640

Okamura. K. H., Palafu, T.*, An, K.*, Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Stern, K. A., Powell, B. J., Becker, S. J., Mandell, D. S., & Okamoto, S. K. (2024). “Allowing space for voice…all our voices:” Understanding Ho‘ouna Pono implementation through educational leadership perspectives in rural Hawai‘i schools. School Mental Health, 16, 793-807. DOI: 10.1007/s12310-024-09660-y

Okamura, K. H., Okamoto, S. K., Marshall, S. M., Chin, S. K., Garcia, P. M.*, Powell, B. J., Stern, K. A., Becker, S. J., & Mandell, D. S. (2022). Ho‘ouna Pono implementation: Applying concept mapping to a culturally-grounded substance abuse prevention curriculum in rural schools. Implementation Science Communications, 3(111), 1-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-022-00359-2

Rosario, M. H., Johnson, D. L., Manglallan, K. S., Phillips, K. T., Pokhrel, P., & Okamoto, S. K. (2021). Tobacco use among native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth in the U.S. and USAPI: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 22(3), 500–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2021.1965934

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Chin, S. K., Hata, J., Hata, E., & Okamura, K. H. (2020). The implementation of a culturally grounded, school-based, drug prevention curriculum in rural Hawaiʻi. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(4), 1085-1099. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22222

Helm, S., & Okamoto, S. K. (2019). Gendered perceptions of drugs, aggression, and violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(11), 2292–2312. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516660301

Okamoto, S. K., Kulis, S. S., Helm, S., Chin, S. K., Hata, J., Hata, E., & Lee, A. (2019). An efficacy trial of the Ho‘ouna Pono drug prevention curriculum: An evaluation of a culturally grounded substance abuse prevention program in rural Hawai‘i. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 239–248. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000164 ℹ️

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Ostrowski, L. K., & Flood, L. (2018). The validation of a school-based, culturally grounded drug prevention curriculum for rural Hawaiian youth. Health Promotion Practice, 19(3), 369–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839917704210

Bills, K., Okamoto, S. K., & Helm, S. (2016). The role of relational harmony in the use of drug-refusal strategies of rural Native Hawaiian youths. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 25(3), 208–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2016.1146190.

Okamoto, S. K., Kulis, S., Helm, S., Lauricella, M., & Valdez, J. K. (2016). An evaluation of the Ho‘ouna Pono curriculum: A pilot study of culturally grounded substance abuse prevention for rural Hawaiian youth. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 27(2), 815–833. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2016.0061

Helm, S., Okamoto, S. K., Kaliades, A., & Giroux, D. (2014). Drug offers as a context for violence perpetration and victimization. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 13(1), 39–57. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2013.853015

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Pel, S., McClain, L. L., Hill, A. P., & Hayashida, J. K. P. (2014). Developing empirically based, culturally grounded drug prevention interventions for Indigenous youth populations. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 41(1), 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-012-9304-0

Okamoto, S. K., Kulis, S., Helm, S., Edwards, C., & Giroux, D. (2014). The social contexts of drug offers and their relationship to drug use of rural Hawaiian youths. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 23(4), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2013.786937

Okamoto, S. K., Kulis, S., Marsiglia, F. F., Holleran Steiker, L. K., & Dustman, P. (2014). A continuum of approaches toward developing culturally focused prevention interventions: From adaptation to grounding. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 35(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0334-z

Okamoto, S. K., Pel, S., Helm, S., & Valdez, J. K. (2014). Gender differences in the use of drug resistance strategies: An analysis of rural Asian/Pacific Islander youth. Health Promotion Practice, 15(4), 568–574. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839913507927

Helm, S., & Okamoto, S. K. (2013). Developing the Ho’ouna Pono substance use prevention curriculum: Collaborating with Hawaiian youth and communities. Hawai’i Journal of Medicine & Public Health: A Journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health, 72(2), 66–69.

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., McClain, L. L., Pel, S., Hayashida, J. K. P., & Hill, A. P. (2013). Gender differences in preferred drug resistance strategies of rural Native Hawaiian youths. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 28(2), 140–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109913485704.

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Kulis, S., Delp, J. A., & Dinson, A.-L. (2012). Drug resistance strategies of rural Hawaiian youth as a function of drug offerers and substances: A community stakeholder analysis. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23(3), 1239–1252. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2012.0102

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., McClain, L. L., & Dinson, A.-L. (2012). The development of videos in culturally grounded drug prevention for rural Native Hawaiian youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 33(5–6), 259–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-012-0281-0

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Delp, J. A., Stone, K., Dinson, A.-L., & Stetkiewicz, J. (2011). A community stakeholder analysis of drug resistance strategies of rural Native Hawaiian youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 32(3–4), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-011-0247-7

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Giroux, D., & Kaliades, A. (2011). “I no like get caught using drugs”: Explanations for refusal as a drug-resistance strategy for rural Native Hawaiian youths. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 20(2), 150–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2011.570131

Edwards, C., Giroux, D., & Okamoto, S. K. (2010). A review of the literature on Native Hawaiian youth and drug use: Implications for research and practice. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 9(3), 153–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2010.500580

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Giroux, D., Edwards, C., & Kulis, S. (2010). The development and initial validation of the Hawaiian youth drug offers survey (HYDOS). Ethnicity & Health, 15(1), 73–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557850903418828

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Giroux, D., Kaliades, A., Kawano, K. N., & Kulis, S. (2010). A typology and analysis of drug resistance strategies of rural Native Hawaiian youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 31(5–6), 311–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-010-0222-8

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Po A-Kekuawela, K. O., Chin, C. I. H., & Nebre, L. R. H. (2010). Exploring culturally specific drug resistance strategies of Hawaiian youth in rural communities. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 54(1), 56–75.

Okamoto, S. K., Kulis, S., Helm, S., Edwards, C., & Giroux, D. (2010). Gender differences in drug offers of rural Hawaiian youths: A mixed-methods analysis. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 25(3), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109910375210

Po‘A-Kekuawela, K., Okamoto, S. K., Nebre, L. R. H., Helm, S., & Chin, C. I. H. (2009). ‘A‘ole drugs! Cultural practices and drug resistance of rural Hawaiian youths. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 18(3), 242–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313200903070981

Okamoto, S. K., Helm, S., Po’a-Kekuawela, K., Chin, C. I. H., & Nebre, L. R. H. (2009). Community risk and resiliency factors related to drug use of rural Native Hawaiian youth: An exploratory study. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 8(2), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640902897081

Helm, S., Okamoto, S. K., Medeiros, H., Chin, C. I. H., Kawano, K. N., Po`a-Kekuawela, K., Nebre, L. H., & Sele, F. P. (2008). Participatory drug prevention research in rural Hawai`i with Native Hawaiian middle school students. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 2(4), 307–313. https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.0.0042