Insights in Public Health: An Island-Wide Community Food Assessment in Lana'i, Hawai'i: A High School Student-Centered Project.

Abstract

Lana'i is a geographically isolated Hawaiian island of approximately 3,100 residents. During the 2017-2018 school year, 22 Lana'i High and Elementary School juniors and seniors engaged with community members, kupuna (elders, those who stand at the source), stakeholders, and expert consultants to conduct an island-wide Community Food Assessment (CFA). A CFA can provide a community comprehensive information about their food systems. Particular attention was given to indigenous, Native Hawaiian food culture and needs. Students collected 656 surveys from a population of about 2,200 adults. Students also completed 14 separate focus groups, interviewing a total of 43 adults in the Lana'i community. This high school student-driven project was the product of many years of engagement and preparation, generosity from community members and content experts, and fortunate circumstances. This paper (1) describes the history of the project, providing useful details around the process of building capacity, leveraging connections, and engaging high school students and community members around a critical health issue in this rural community; and (2) highlights key findings that will be useful for policy development and advocacy.