Restoration Magazine

As Indigenous women of the Hawaiian Islands, Pouhana ‘O Na Wahine, Pillars of Women, is focused on determining how best to respond to domestic violence from the perspective of Native Hawaiians. For more than three years, the all- volunteer collective of women has organized using he indigenous framework of their Native Hawaiian language, the teachings of their people, and the voices and experiences of survivors.

Since its January meeting with NIWRC, the hui (group) has continued to build its collective through ongoing discussions. “We are a naʻau driven people and ancestrally we were spiritually guided to know our gifts; we become driven by that which we were called to do,” said Pouhana sister Dolly Tatofi. “When we do this and recognize this, we allow for the very spirit of our seed to grow organically, how it wants to grow. We also weave in the spiritual aspect to our journey; that is part of our Hawaiian worldview.”

The hui understands and struggles with the knowledge that relying solely on current non-indigenous responses to domestic and sexual violence does not serve Native Hawaiians well. Non-indigenous responses are short-term solutions. This approach fails to address the violence over the long term. The reality is that Native Hawaiians represent the highest percentage of victims of domestic and sexual violence within the state. The hui knows long-term approaches must rely on an indigenous view of the world.

Taking on the challenge of organizing for changes from their worldview continues via phone calls and emails and has been difficult without more dedicated resources. “We must continue and organize based on our reality. Our hui understands our lives and the violence we experience as Native Hawaiians. We are committed to working together to identify a Native Hawaiian plan of action,” said Rose Pettigrew, acting president of the Pouhana’s Board of Directors.

Pouhana volunteers are currently located on Molokai, Maui, Oahu, and Lana’i. They are discussing ways to build their capacity to respond, including networking with Native Hawaiian practitioners to become practitioners themselves and developing a response designed by and for Kanaka Māoli. Ongoing support of the Pouhana to increase understanding and analysis of the injustices Native Hawaiians face, and identify what changes in laws, policies, and responses will save lives and will be important moving forward.