“Integration is the future”

Ke Ao Nōweo 'Ula (KANU)

A theory of mauliola for Kānaka ʻŌiwi in behavioral healthcare contexts

Ke Ao Nōweo 'Ula, “the new dawn that shines bright,” honors the sacred process of coming out of the darkness of mo'ohihia and wahaheʻe and into mauliola, leading to ao, dawn or enlightenment, an outcome of mauliola. The acronym form is KANU, meaning both plant and hereditary, emphasizing the importance of ʻāina (land, that which feeds) and the relational, cyclical, intergenerational, interconnected ecology of mauliola processes. KANU theory is for Kānaka ʻŌiwi in behavioral healthcare contexts, depicting both supportive and detrimental processes, mauliola as a state of being, and outcomes of mauliola through 21 process categories (242 processes). The theory emphasizes pono (equity, balance) and decolonizing the multi-level violence and disconnection brought on by detriments, so pilina can be nourished in trauma-informed ways, allowing for hoʻōla and hoʻomana for kānaka, ‘ohana, kaiāulu, systems, leadership, culture, āina, and spirit.

These are the rare and vital voices of 19 Kanaka ʻŌiwi clients with experiences of depression, 10 kumu and leaders in culture (e.g., hoʻoponopono, lāʻau lapaʻau), and 12 mental and behavioral health providers who primarily work with Kānaka ʻŌiwi (e.g., LMFTs, psychologists).

Below are the 21 process categories described by participants.

DESIGN NOTES: The blue wai drop honors our kai, rivers, many forms of ua (rain) which can signify tears (heavy rains), 'eha, kaumaha, while acknowledging the poison of the detriments. This poison in our wai can affect the entire ecology.

The red dirt triangle honors mauna energy rooted in the ground below, and Papahānaumoku, the mana in our very bones. At the center, the lōkahi triangle with themes of pilina (connection), hoʻōla (healing), and hoʻomana (empowerment) across levels.

The 'ōlena color and symbol for outcomes represents the energy of fire, honoring the light of Lā, of na'auao, and sky father Wākea.

The lauhala colored concentric circles made of waves show the interconnectedness of all the processes and domains, their relationship being cyclical rather than linear.

If you’d like to view a presentation on the theory, please feel free to view it here!

Interested in receiving a training or workshop on this material? Please connect with us here.

(Qina`au, 2024)

Qinaʻau, J., Chung-Do, J., Kaholokula, K., Nakamura, L., Austin, A., Rivera, C., Johnson, K., Steuber, K., Manzana, D., Firoozan, A., Lee, L., Preston-Pita, H., Chan, K., Dudoit, F., Baclayon, K. K. P., Miles, N., Kāneakua, H. K., Papa, T., Spencer, S., Fong., K., & Sasaki, J. (manuscript in preparation). Ke Ao Nōweo 'Ula: A transformative theory for decolonial and indigenized wellbeing.

Symbols by Kahanulālani Fung