Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Statement

“Aloha is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.” Aunty Pilahi Paki

Aloha is at the heart of our work to strengthen the health, wellness, and resilience of children, families, and communities. Our practices of aloha open us to connect and honor relationships with humility, patience, grace, gentleness, and harmony. We work to create a culture of belonging – feeling seen, heard, accepted, and embraced as our authentic selves. We appreciate and celebrate the uniqueness of our staff and the people we serve while we strive to support their health and sense of safety, freedom, and joy. We are committed to these practices and to learn and work toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and opportunities for growth.

Our Practices

Akahai - Kindness (grace) to be expressed with tenderness
We extend ourselves to others to support access, opportunities, growth, and advancement with graceful engagement, respectful consideration, and mindful actions.

 Lōkahi - Unity (unbroken) to be expressed with harmony
We recognize that we are already connected and since the agency’s inception, have held the vision that all people live and thrive in harmony. We seek perspectives that are above the sides, walls, prejudices, biases, and agendas in order to inspire sustainable and relevant collective action.

 ‘Olu ‘olu - Agreeable (gentleness) to be expressed with pleasantness
We treat each other with care and attention, being gentle in our relationships balanced with purposeful strength.

 Ha‘aha‘a - Humility (empty) to be expressed with modesty
We engage with an openness that invites others’ stories and presence, listening to both spoken and unspoken words. We connect across our human differences as well as our past, present, and future; our life experiences; world views; and aspirations.

 Ahonui - Patience (waiting for the moment) to be expressed with perseverance
We are mindful and wait for the moment in which we can respond to challenges with humility, grace, kindness, and harmony.

Our deepest gratitude to our sources, Aunty Pilahi Paki and Pono Shim, for the aloha that fills our hearts and the wisdom that grounds our practices. Aloha by Aunty Pilahi Paki & Aloha Response by Pono Shim