Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 1, 1 January 2023 — Healing is a Journey [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Healing is a Journey

V E 'ONIPA'A KAKOU V ^ BE STEADFAST *

By Jill Beatty Situated in a quiet, rustic area in Waimea on the island of Hawai'i, Lili'uokalani Trust is slated to open a facility aimed at healing and growth for most vulnerable Hawaiian children. The LT Ranch will provide experiential activities focused on strengthening connections to the self via three core pathways: Animals, Art, and 'Āina. Eaeh of the core pathways centers around healing. In the 'Āina pathway, youth will learn to care for the land and plants, go on huaka'i to special places, learn mo'olelo of the region, and build a relationship between kānaka, Akua, and aina. Additionally, a primary focus is on heahh and nutrition, such as how to eook farm to table meals. The Animals pathway emphasizes the special connection between humans and animals. With animals such as horses, pigs, cattle, goats, and more on the farm LT Ranch will provide opportunities for youth to interact with animals, thus building capacity around empathy, self-reflec-tion, emotional regulation, and eonnections with the self. Finally, the Art pathway will introduce youth to a variety of art mediums such as pottery, woodworking, painting, music, dance, and more. Youth will learn ways to express themselves from loeal artists with an emphasis on Native Hawaiian art practices. LT Ranch will offer residential programs, day camps, and after school programs for Hawaiian youth who would benefit from an intensive program in a peaceful environment, particularly those engaged in the state's child welfare and juvenile justice

Dunny and Būby, who live nt the Lī Ranch, enjoy breakfast together. - Photo: Courtesy systems, who are chronically truant, struggling academically, or have experienced significant trauma. As a result of adverse childhood experiences, many of these opio are disconnected, disengaged, and highly discouraged by their prospects in life. LT Ranch recognizes the need to reverse this trend. In line with LT's Strategic Vision 2045 Wehe Ke Ala, LT Ranch will support Native Hawaiian youth to strengthen their spiritual, emotional, and cultural identity through opportunities to heal and explore their inherent potential - E Nā Kamalei Lupalupa! Through nature-based programming connecting 'ōpio to animals, the land, and creative expression through arts, opio will better understand their inherent potential and mana. The philosophy of LT Ranch is that healing is a journey, not a destination. ■ Jill Beatty has been a social worker with Lili'uokalani Trust for 16 years. Growing up on a ranch on Hawai'i Island greatly influenced her love for anitnals and nature. She believes that thepotential to experience deep healing is bestfound in the presence oftrusted individuah and the natural intelligence ofhorses, other animah, and the natural world.