H310/N390: Transcultural Healthcare in Hawaii

One more day, and we’re “off” to Hawaii for 3-weeks! I can imagine students making those last minute packing decisions… “just how many bathing suits will I need for class on the beach…?”

This year we have three students who expressed interest in contributing to the Blog! Three Nursing Majors, Elizabeth Mudiandambo, Lily Summers, and Emily Kleffman (pictured below left to right with Kumu Kerr & Kumu Hopkins in-between) will be adding student perspective with posts as we travel… This photo was taken on April 21, 2022 (Reading Day before Final Exams) after the last, mandatory, pre-travel meeting held on-campus.

until Dr. Amanda Hopkins (Kumu Hopkins), and myself (Dr. Noel Kerr – Kumu Kerr) set off from O’Hare International Airport to Hawaii with 24-students who are taking HLTH310/NURS390: Transcultural Healthcare in Hawaii during the 2022 May Term at Illinois Wesleyan University.

This course focuses on the historical, geographical, and cultural factors that influence health and health care delivery in the Hawaiian Islands. In addition to Native Hawaiians, the majority of the island populace consists of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from Pacific Islander-Asian backgrounds. This multicultural environment provides a rich opportunity for Trans-cultural study. Students develop an awareness of resources for identifying and meeting the health needs of persons from varied cultural backgrounds, and they explore complementary / alternative healthcare modalities that can be integrated with western medicine…

The students have been learning about Native Hawaiian history and culture during five classes held on-campus prior to travel, and several of them have taken the opportunity to earn some extra-credit while learning about, and experience Tai Chi on-campus prior to travel…

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HLTH 310: Shannon Murphy (Bio-PreMed), Maddie Novotny (Psychology), Samantha Wilcox (Neuroscience)

NURS 390: Julia Bauer, Stacy Buchner, Mia Davis, Morgan Drath, Jake Garcia, Airiana Hounsve, Duke Harms, Emily Kleffman, Ben Knupp, Sophia Lesman, Ambria May, Kennedy Meloy, Mckinlee Miller, Elizabeth Mudiandambo, Margaaret Pavlik, Alexandra Peterson, Ally Ruff, Olivia Shell, Lily Summers, Mati Thompson, & Gabby Tsarouhis (All Nursing Majors)

Last night, we had an amazing experience! We went to the summit of Mauna Kea! We watched the sunset, had an astronomy presentation, looked through high-powered telescopes, and stargazed.

The terrain in this area is moon-like. So much so, that NASA tests the moon rovers in this area. We summited to 14,000 feet to watch the sunset. Many countries have telescopes in this area, and our guide explained each one.

This area is sacred and altars lie at the summit.

We were treated to seeing the Southern Cross constellation, not visible in Illinois. Our guide showed some basics stars important for traditional sea travel before our high-tech equipment.

A fantastic way to close our amazing travel course! A Hui Ho, Hawaii Islands! (Until we meet again!)

Today, we toured North Hawaii Community Hospital.

https://www.queens.org/north-hawaii/about-us/about-us-nhch

This hospital blends Native Hawaiian practices with Western Medicine. Read the photo captions to learn more about the information we learned on our tour! Liana Iaea Honda, Director of Native Hawaiian Health Services at the hospital, gave the tour and presentation. We’re grateful for her time and energy, sharing her culture and history.