Partners
Administration for native americans
ʻĒWEKEA PIʻI MOʻO LĀʻAU LAPAʻAU is a community-based project funded by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), a program within the United States Department of Health and Social Services that was established in 1974 through the Native American Programs Act (NAPA).
The mission of ANA is to promote the goal of self-sufficiency and cultural preservation by providing social and economic development opportunities through financial assistance, training, and technical assistance to eligible tribes and Native American communities, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native Pacific Islanders. ANA also oversees the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, which is administered by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
To achieve the ANA goals of self-sufficiency and cultural preservation, ANA projects are planned, designed, and implemented by Native American community members to address the particular needs of their society. ANA subscribes to the philosophy that sustainable change must originate within the community.
ANA has been a strong supporter of Native Hawaiian community programs and has established the Pacific Region Technical and Training Assistance Center in Honolulu, which is operated by Ka‘ānaniʻau LLC.
Waimānalo Health Center
WHC was conceptualized by a group of women who led a health service committee in 1988 in Waimānalo. The group advocated for continued health services in Waimānalo after a State Department of Health demonstration project was to be closed after 23 years of service. Founders Patricia Heu, Madi Silverman, Eve Anderson, Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo and Mabel Ann Spencer represented the community to advocate for a local health center in Waimānalo. After incorporation in 1989, facility construction and the hiring of professional staff, Waimānalo Health Center saw its first patient in January 1992 and became a federally qualified health center in 1994. Since then, WHC has continued advocating for community health and expanded services to meet the needs of its patients.
