Association-of-Native-Hawaiian-Physicians-Doctors-Ahahui-o-Na-Kauka-Kalo-Images-_0020.jpg

Uniting Native Hawaiian Physicians to champion the health of Hawaiian people

ASSOCIATION OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN PHYSICIANS WORKING TOWARD THE HEALTH OF KĀNAKA MAOLI

JOIN US

Connect

Join a dedicated community of Native Hawaiian M.D.s and D.O.s to build lasting professional bonds.

Grow

Access mentorship, continuing education, and leadership opportunities tailored to our unique cultural context.

Impact

Collaborate on projects and advocacy that directly improve the health and wellness of our community.

GET STARTED

Ahahui-o-Na-Kauka-Native-Hawaiian-Doctor-Association-Organization-Oahu-Hawaii-Maui-Kauai-M

Lack of cultural understanding in the medical field can lead to feelings of isolation & disconnection.

We connect present + future Native Hawaiian doctors with each other & our roots.

CONNECT WITH PHYSICIANS

How it Works

ONE

Join

Join our community of M.D.s, D.O.s, and students.

THREE

Heal

Lead the way in improving health outcomes for kānaka maoli.

TWO

Collaborate

Access mentorship and networking rooted in kākou.

HO‘OMĀKAUKAU

Ready?

Learn more about our memberships!

BECOME A MEMBER

FOR HEALTHIER HAWAIIANS

Healing Our Lāhui Together

For over 25 years, we’ve understood that being a Native Hawaiian physician means carrying a unique kuleana. Founded by doctors who saw the need for a cultural home in medicine, ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka provides a powerful network of Native Hawaiian M.D.s and D.O.s dedicated to ensuring our people thrive. When our pipeline of doctors and our future doctors are supported and connected, our entire community grows healthier and stronger.

BECOME A MEMBER

Our Partners

Association-of-Native-Hawaiian-Physicians-Doctors-Ahahui-o-Na-Kauka-Kalo-Images-_0031.jpg

PROUD MEMBER OF
PRIDoC

Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress

Without unity our healers remain isolated and our community's health continues to be left behind.

Together, we can bridge the gap between medicine and culture to ensure a thriving, healthy future for every Native Hawaiian.

BECOME A MEMBER

Connect with Us

@AhahuioNaKauka

Our Kauka members supporting @kahoolawe at @iolanipalacehi Ohana Sunday. Our beloved Dr. Emmett Aluli, was also a @kahoolawe leader and one of the “Kahoʻolawe Nine”—a group of Native Hawaiians who landed on Kahoʻolawe to protest the U.S. Navy using the sacred island for military bomb practice. @ahahuionakauka and @kahoolawe carry on his important legacy.

Some of our Ahahui i Nā Kauka @uhmedjabsom faculty members welcomed our newest medical students at white coat ceremony in July, including 17 Native Hawaiian medical students and several of our own mentees. Join us if you are a physician or medical student who is also passionate about mentoring future Native Hawaiian physicians on their career path. Membership is free for medical students. If you are a pre-medical student, check out @nhcoe and their Pū Pa’akai mentorship program.
📸: @jmac.gram

Ho’omaika’i to our 17 Native Hawaiian medical students (Kauka Haumana) starting their first year at @uhmedjabsom ! Our Kauka members welcomed them at our annual Kauka Haumana social . We are excited for the future these bright Kauka Haumana will bring as they ho’ola lāhui! Mahalo to our @ahahuionakauka board and @nhcoe for organizing this networking event.

SAVE THESE DATES - Jan 11-12, 2025 - Aloha ‘Āina, He Huliau i ka Pono - Climate Change and Health Equity conference for physicians and other health providers. Registration will open mid-December. Join us!

Dr. Iwane prescribes Holoholo for your ails.

Happy Earth Day!

‘Ahahui o nā Kauka recently organized a huaka‘i to Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe to immerse its members and colleagues into the soul and spirit of the island. The island’s history of assault, resistance and recovery was the perfect venue for continuing medical education conference around *Climate, Trauma, Healing.* The greening of the island inspired hope and restoration for the health and healing professionals. We know that to heal ourselves, we must have a connection with the ‘āina and care for it to the best of our ability. Physically and spiritually, we are learning and living the legacy of co-founder Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, Healing an Island, Healing a People, Healing a Lāhui.
*
Mahalo nui: Our huaka‘i was hosted by the all-volunteer members of @kahoolawe and supported by @kahoolaweislandreserve. This educational activity was partially supported our Nā Makawai partnership with @papaolalokahi

#alohaaina #kanaloa #kanaloakahoolawe #climatechange #Hawaiianhealing #healingfromtrauma

Photos by several huaka‘i participants.

It was our privilege to honor Dr. Elizabeth Tam, chair of Department of Medicine at @uhmedjabsom at today's unveiling of her mural. Pictured are Kauka Mahealani Lum, Kara Wong Ramsey, Marcus Kawika Iwane, Leah Dowsett and Dee-Ann Carpenter.

From Mauka to Makai ~ What does Hawaiian Well-Being Mean To You?
...
Many kauka attended #hawaiianconvention at the @mauiartsculture to learn more about Maui health and lead roundtable discussions about health and well-being.
...
Mahalo to all who attended! Mahalo to @hawaiiancouncil for inviting us!
...
#mauliola #hawaiianhealth #Ola #kauka #hawaiianphysicians

Ashley Mainani Lee, Native Hawaiian MS3 and former Ka Lama Kukui President was on Maui for her longitudinal clerkships when the devastating fires hit Lahaina. She has been with her preceptors daily at the different shelters providing medical care. Kauka of all specialties are stepping up to staff these areas, sometimes even after their long clinic days. One pediatrician said this has been the first time they touched an adult patient in 20 years. In addition to wound care, there are a lot of routine needs being fulfilled as people left without their medications. All of the kauka are yearning to get out to Lahaina where their patients are, but there are still some limitations in place.

Ashley's Maui ʻohana is from Keʻanae and Kahului. Although her relatives are mostly in town and on the east side, her cousin Casey was living in Lahaina. There, he lost his home and left with just his car, laptop and the clothes he had on. She says she's grateful to be there to help and seeing the community come together gives hope to the resilient survivors.

He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nāna e kūlaʻi, I am a wind-resisting ʻaʻaliʻi plant; no gust can push me over (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #507)

Pictures are: medical tent at maui memorial, and medical area at maui high school

Noa Emmett Auwae Aluli graduated in the first four-year class at the medical school at University of Hawai'i, one of just 5 Hawaiians in that Class of 1975. Drs. Nathan Wong, Solomon Naluai, William Ahuna and Richard Lee-Ching celebrated the life and legacy of their classmate yesterday.
www.noaemmettaluli.org
#classof75

HALI‘A ALOHA DR. BILL THOMAS

It is with profound sadness that we report the loss of a great friend and health care champion.

William L. Thomas, Jr., raised in Kailua, O‘ahu, has resided on Molokai for 20 years. He practiced internal medicine, family medicine, provided oversight for the chemotherapy program, and served as clinical preceptor.

"He was a wonderful physician," remembers Dr. Dee-Ann Carpenter. "He won honors as Intern of the Year and Third Year Resident of the Internal Medicine Residency."

"Bill" was a graduate of The Kamehameha Schools, John A. Burns School of Medicine, and a recipient of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship.

Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli remembers that he was the first of the new physicians-in-training, "... to commit to serving the health care needs of Molokai."

In fact, Dr. Thomas has served as chief medical officer and chief of staff at Molokai General Hospital within the Queen's Health Systems.

"This is a great loss for the Molokai community. Bill had a great laugh," recalls Dr. Martina Kamaka. "He'll always be part of of our Kauka hui memories."

He attended every PRIDoC with ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, usually taking his mother Roberta (shown below at a Honolulu event in 2009) and sister Kathleen with him. He was a mainstay at Kauka Hui social events.

He is survived by sisters Kathleen and Liz and many nieces and nephews he adored.

Dr. Carpenter warmly remembers, "Bill was a great friend...and beloved by all who knew him."

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Uniting Native Hawaiian Physicians to champion the health of Hawaiian people

Connect

Grow

Impact

Lack of cultural understanding in the medical field can lead to feelings of isolation & disconnection.

We connect present + future Native Hawaiian doctors with each other & our roots.

How it Works

ONE

Join

Join our community of M.D.s, D.O.s, and students.

THREE

Heal

Lead the way in improving health outcomes for kānaka maoli.

TWO

Collaborate

Access mentorship and networking rooted in kākou.

HO‘OMĀKAUKAU

Ready?

Learn more about our memberships!

FOR HEALTHIER HAWAIIANS

Healing Our Lāhui Together

Our Partners

PROUD MEMBER OF PRIDoC

Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress

Without unity our healers remain isolated and our community's health continues to be left behind.

Together, we can bridge the gap between medicine and culture to ensure a thriving, healthy future for every Native Hawaiian.

Connect with Us

​

PROUD MEMBER OF
PRIDoC