Pacific Island Elderly: A Model for Bridging Generations and Systems

Abstract

This article describes a model called Ho'okele that portrays the important role of the Pacific Islander elderly in bridging generations and systems through examining the traditional practice of intergenerational kinship care and multiple systemic living. Thus, the Ho'okele model, meaning “to navigate” in the Hawaiian language, focuses on two clusters of concepts: 1) intergenerational relationships, connections, and kinship care among Pacific Islander children, parents, grandparents, and ancestors; and 2) multiple systemic living involving the individual, family, culture, community, heaven, earth, and other systems. The model can be used as a visual depiction of an individual's place in the family and community. The article proposes the integration of this model into social work education curriculum and its use in informing culturally relevant social work practice, policy, and research.