Ola Kanaka
Website
GET HELP
VA Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.
For emergencies, CALL 911 NOW.
Suicide Crisis Help
24 hours / 7 days
Island of Oahu
(808) 832-3100
Islands of Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, & Hawaii
1-800-753-6879
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Friends and Family: How to help someone in danger of suicide.
AMHD Crisis Line
24 hours / 7 days
Island of Oahu
(808) 832-3100
Other Islands
1-800-753-6879
Drug & Alcohol Help
Culture-based substance abuse program in Waiʻanae
(808) 696-3315
AA/NA:
Oahu: 946-1438
Hilo: 961-6133
Kona: 329-1212
Kauai: 245-6677
Maui: 244-9673
Warrior Health
The arts of battle were refined over centuries in Hawaiʻi. Fighting styles and weapons were perfected along with wellness and the healing of wounds and broken bones.
Today, the warrior tradition continues for both men and women. Changing battle grounds and battle styles have given rise to new aspects of warriorhood, including the arts of physical, emotional and spiritual wellness and of healing from battle. Whether battle is seen through intensive front-line activism, military deployment, or through a personal struggle for what is right, warrior health is an important continuation of the traditions of our ancestors through the maintenance and restoration of a strong sense of well-being and pono.
Activist Resources
About PTSD
• About 1 in 3 combat veterans have major PTSD symptoms. Many more have milder symptoms.
• these include flashbacks, avoidance, isolation, hyper-arousal reactions including anger outbursts, and others.
• PTSD may lead to problems such as panic disorder, substance abuse, depression, and suicidal feelings. It is known to affect relationships and well being.
• Over 70% of women who have been in combat suffer PTSD due to sexual assault.
• Activists have a high rate of PTSD as well, particularly those who have been subject to violence, land destruction and removal.
More Info:
VA PTSD Website
Wikipedia PTSD Page
Medline Plus: PTSD
"Native warriors get double substance abuse. Native folks, in trauma, FEEL their history. Or they know something. Or saw their parents. And soldiers with PTSD, always gotta go out on the edge; “any moment now, any moment now”. So for stay healthy, think good thoughts, stay active. Put on goggles and snorkels. Go in the water. The water hide you. Because I know that’s what you going do most da time. Hide. Meanwhile, eat good, exercise, talk to the rain."
- Skippy
Read full interview with activist, war veteran, musician and cultural practitioner Skippy HERE.
Veteran Resources
Trauma in Viet Nam
More than one out of every two Native Hawaiian Veterans experienced war-related trauma in Vietnam. The war traumas included being under fire on helicopters, cargo and reconnaissance aircraft, patrol boats, navy ships, or cargo and transport trucks; being on frequent or prolonged combat missions in enemy territory (including Cambodia and Laos); and encountering ambushes and firefights. Traumas also included being attacked by sappers, snipers, artillery, or rockets; witnessing death and terrible harm to their own or others' bodies; and performing very hazardous duties as walking point, radio operators, medics, scouts, tunnel rats, perimeter sentries, long range patrollers, or door gunners. Native Hawaiians and American Indians were more likely than any other survey group to receive combat service medals in recognition of their hazardous combat duty.