ABSTRACT
Optimal health from a Native Hawaiian worldview is achieved by being pono (righteous) and maintaining lokahi (balance) with all our relations, including our relationships as Kanaka (humankind) with 'Aina (land, nature, environment, that which feeds) and Akua (spiritual realm). The purpose of this study is to explore the role of 'Aina connectedness in Native Hawaiian health and resilience to inform the development of the 'Aina Connectedness Scale. Qualitative methods were conducted with 40 Native Hawaiian adults throughout Hawai'i. Three themes emerged: (1) 'Aina is everything; (2) Connection to 'Aina is imperative to health; and (3) Intergenerational health, healing, and resilience are reflected through intergenerational connectedness with 'Aina. Qualitative findings, supplemented with a scoping review of land, nature, and cultural connectedness scales, led to the development of the 'Aina Connectedness Scale, which examined the degree to which people feel connected to 'Aina, with implications for future research. 'Aina connectedness may address concerns related to health disparities that stem from colonization, historical trauma, and environmental changes and better our understanding of Native Hawaiian health by fostering stronger ties to land. Resilience- and 'Aina-based approaches are critically important to health equity and interventions that aim to improve Native Hawaiian health.