Introduction & Overview

The KUPAʻA Project is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to

uplifting the mental health, resilience, and cultural pride of

LGBTQIA+ and māhū youth. Rooted in Native Hawaiian (Kanaka ʻŌiwi)

values and practices, this project recognizes that healing and

wellbeing emerge not only from clinical care, but also from community,

culture, and shared responsibility for one another’s wellness.

At its core, the KUPAʻA Project responds to the urgent need for safe,

affirming, and culturally grounded spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth who

continue to face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, bullying,

discrimination, and suicidal ideation. For many, these challenges are

compounded by systemic inequalities, colonial legacies, and cultural

erasure. By honoring the histories and lived experiences of māhū and

LGBTQIA+ youth, the project creates a supportive pathway toward

resilience, pride, and collective healing.

Through a multi-layered approach—including community outreach

campaigns, peer-led educational workshops, monthly support gatherings,

and navigation to additional Kumukahi Health + Wellness (KHW)

services—the project cultivates mental health literacy, reduces

stigma, and fosters help-seeking behaviors. Collaboration with

schools, community organizations, and mental health professionals

ensures that youth have access to resources that are not only

competent, but culturally responsive and affirming of their

identities.