Hoʻōla Na ʻŌpio Collective (Restoring Wellness & Life for Youth) is sponsored by Decolonizing Wealth Project's Youth Mental Health Fund (Rainbow Health Hawaii is a recipient, indicating this as a funding source). This initiative supports the creation of healing spaces for youth and young adults in Hawaiʻi, grounded in culture, community, and lived experience.

Rainbow Health is honored to receive support from the Decolonizing Wealth Project’s Youth Mental Health Fund. This grant helps us grow healing spaces for youth and young adults in Hawaiʻi that are grounded in culture, community, and the lived experience of young people themselves. For us, decolonizing mental health means moving away from one size fits all, diagnosis first models of care.

Instead, we center relationships, culture, and dignity. We listen to what youth say they need and build programs with them, not for them. This initiative focuses on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and other youth of color, especially those who have experienced homelessness, system involvement, discrimination, or disconnection from school and work.

What Youth Can Do Through This Program Youth can participate in a range of activities. Each one is designed to support emotional wellbeing, belonging, and cultural connection. Hoʻōla Na ʻŌpio Collective Restoring Wellness & Life for Youth ʻĀina Based Healing and Connection Youth can spend time on the land and ocean as a form of healing.

Activities may include working in loʻi, visiting significant cultural sites, beach and ocean days, and learning stories and practices connected to place. These spaces are about grounding, slowing down, and reconnecting to ʻāina and community. Culturally Grounded Groups and Workshops Youth can join groups that weave together culture, mental health, and community care.

Examples include groups focused on cultural identity, ʻohana and chosen family, navigating multiple worlds, and healing from the impacts of colonization, racism, homophobia, and transphobia. One to One Counseling and Support Youth who want more focused support can meet one to one with a licensed therapist or case manager.

Sessions can focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, relationships, school or work stress, or whatever is most important to them. Whenever possible, we provide services in flexible settings, including community spaces, telehealth, or in collaboration with trusted partners. Youth can join small group circles where they talk story with other young people who understand what they are going through.

These peer spaces are facilitated by trained staff or peer leaders, and focus on support, not judgment. Topics might include stress, identity, relationships, grief, or anything youth bring into the room. Creative Arts and Storytelling Youth can express themselves through art, writing, music, movement, and other creative forms.

This may look like zine making, painting, digital media, spoken word, or collaborative projects. The goal is for youth to tell their own stories, in their own way, and to be seen and heard. Youth Leadership and Advocacy Opportunities Youth shape the program itself.

This might include serving on a youth advisory group, helping design groups and activities, cofacilitating circles, or contributing to outreach and education efforts. We believe youth are experts in their own lives and that their leadership is essential.