Meet Us Mondays.  Executive director Sheri Daniels celebrates a member of the POL ‘ohana each Monday.

Who has not called Papa Ola Lōkahi and heard the dulcet voice belonging to Gayle Ku‘ulei Bonham?

Gayle has been interested in “things Hawaiian” since the fourth grade.  When she joined Papa Ola Lōkahi as the executive assistant, she knew she would learn a lot.  She learned about the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program all while typing letters, greeting visitors, making travel arrangements, attending conferences, coordinating meetings and trying to keep track of the executive director. 

She has enjoyed attending meetings and conferences across the continental US, participating in the “Out of Many, One” project, attending the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Gatherings in Alberta, Canada (2006) and in Honolulu (2010), preparing for the annual healers gatherings at Lapakahi, and working on the sailing vessel Hōkūle‘a.

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Each Monday, executive director Sheri Daniels introduces the staff of Papa Ola Lōkahi.  Today, we feature two of our newest members, both students in public health:  Chevelle Davis (L) and Asia Olivieri (R).

Chevelle is born and raised on the Leeward side of O‘ahu in Ewa Beach and a graduate of ‘Aiea High School. She graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with her bachelor’s degree in Public Health and is currently in her second year of the Master of Public Health program focusing on Health Policy and Management. Chevelle intends to pursue her PhD in Public Health and earn a certificate in Public Administration next fall. Chevelle joined the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) ‘ohana in September and is honored to be able to contribute to Hawaiians pursuing higher education in health care fields. When Chevelle is not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her family or island hopping with friends. Chevelle also enjoys international travel and experiencing different cultures.  ​

Asia was raised in Kailua and graduated from Punahou.  Asia feels privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of the E Ola Mau a Mau process and to work with such a welcoming ‘ohana. Through this experience, Asia realized she loves to work in health and public policy. She is currently completing her Bachelor's in Public Health at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.  She already plans to attain a Master's in Business Administration followed by a PhD in Public Health. When Asia is not working or completing school work, she can be found playing with her dogs, volunteering for ‘āina-restoration projects, or discovering new restaurants. 

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Hawaiians of old were in constant pursuit of learning, of improving their understanding of, and connection to, the world around them. From the ecological (i.e., building of fishponds) to traditional healing practices, there is evidence of the great intellect of our kūpuna. Their actions yielded value in their daily lives and created a healthy, vibrant lāhui.

Through the active use of traditional customs, beliefs and practices in their daily lives, indigenous communities have begun to further validate the moʻolelo of ancestors. Many of us are using the words from the past to describe our existence for the modern-day Hawaiian and helping to lay the pathway forward to create our own value and story as kānaka. 

The incorporation of Hawaiian practices integrated into our lives start with taking a true and honest assessment of yourself, your ʻohana and your communities. Like other indigenous cultures, the key is acknowledging where you stand, NOW. It is about understanding what is going on in our lāhui and what you will do and stand for.

That is the kāhea I have for our people….if we say we are Native Hawaiian, then our actions need to parallel those statements and not because we can check a box or can qualify for benefits but because in our naʻau we ARE.

E Ola Mau,

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In this series, executive director Sheri Daniels celebrates someone special in the Papa Ola Lōkahi ‘ohana each Monday.

Meet Donna-Marie Palakiko! 

Donna is honored to be part of the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) ‘ohana.  Joining the scholarship program in September has been an easy transition, as she is an alumna of the program, and member of the advisory board.  She fulfilled her service obligation at the O‘ahu-based Native Hawaiian Health Care System Ke Ola Mamo, and continued to provide leadership there.  Donna has more than 15 years of Native Hawaiian community-based program management and research experience.

After a long academic journey, Donna recently received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Her dissertation was on Native Hawaiian Caregivers' Cultural Perspective of Pediatric Asthma Management.

Donna's collective experiences motivate her to provide peer support to Native Hawaiian students, which she is able to do at NHHSP Operations Coordinator.  Outside of the office, she is an active member of St. Augustine by the Sea Parish, a student of Halau Hula ‘O Maiki, and member of ‘Ahahui Ka‘iulani. In her free time, Donna travels, of course, because life is meant to be adventures filled with experiences!

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