"As the vessels of our ancestors, the Indigenous Futures Survey is one way that we can elevate community-driven solutions and bring attention to the challenges we face."

For generations we, the Indigenous people of the United States, have struggled to make sure our voices are heard. The Indigenous Futures Survey is an opportunity to have direct input on issues that impact our communities. Participating in this survey is important to me personally because I know that having a seat at the table and elevating issues of importance will help to improve the well-being of kanaka maoli and our collective future.

As a Native Hawaiian, I often turn to our ‘ōlelo no’eau (Hawaiian proverbs) for guidance and wisdom. One ‘olelo no’eau in particular says, “I ka wā ma mua, i ka wā ma hope” which means, “we look to the past as a guide to the future.” As Hawaiians, we depend on our ancestors, our land, and our elders for insight as to how we should carry ourselves and live.

While living in the 21st century poses new challenges for our communities, it also provides us an opportunity to look to our past and reclaim our ancestral knowledge in developing modern-day solutions.  As the vessels of our ancestors, the Indigenous Futures Survey is one way that we can elevate community-driven solutions and bring attention to the challenges we face. Please join us by taking this survey – may we be a generation that lifts up the voices of our people! #IndigenousFuturesSurvey

Please go and complete the Indigenous Futures Survey today! Do it for the futures generations. If your family members need help, step up and help them in the safest way possible. Call up your grandmas and grandpas, aunties and uncles, and talk them through the survey over the phone.

Visit indigenousfutures.illuminatives.org/ to take the survey and learn more. 

Hannah Kailimea‘u Aiwohi is Native Hawaiian and was born and raised on the island of Maui. She is a recent graduate of Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus, a private charitable educational trust endowed by the will of Native Hawaiian princess, Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The mission of Kamehameha Schools is to improve the capability and well-being of Native Hawaiians through education. While attending Kamehameha, Hannah danced hula under the direction of Kumu Kapono‘ai Molitau and Pili Young and took first place in the 2014 Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition; Hannah also participated annually in ‘Aha Mele – a competition that offers students the opportunity to connect with their Hawaiian culture through mele (song) and ‘oli (chant). In 2019, her female cohort took home the Ka Malu o ‘A‘apueo Award – the honor given to the best vocal performance between men and women. Hannah will be attending Louisiana State University in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in pre-physical therapy.