Kumu hula perspectives on health

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Cultural health practices
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention

Background:

• Hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance with deep cultural significance.
• Research is exploring hula's potential in clinical interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Understanding cultural perspectives is crucial for integrating hula into healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather insights from kumu hula (cultural experts) on hula's health connections.
• To assess the cultural appropriateness of hula-based CVD intervention programs.
• To identify strategies for maintaining hula's cultural integrity in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with six prominent kumu hula across five Hawaiian Islands.
• Open-ended questions focused on attitudes, beliefs, and experiences regarding hula and health.
• Exploration of recommendations for culturally sensitive program development.

Main Results:

• All interviewed kumu hula endorsed hula's use in CVD intervention programs.
• Kumu hula affirmed strong, enduring connections between hula and holistic well-being (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual).
• Participants emphasized the importance of preserving hula's cultural integrity.

Conclusions:

• Hula is recognized by cultural experts as integral to health and well-being.
• Culturally sensitive hula interventions show promise for improving health and wellness.
• Maintaining cultural integrity is key to the successful implementation of hula-based programs.