An exploration of culturally grounded social work practice with Micronesians in Hawai'i

This study explored culturally grounded social work practices with the Micronesian community in Hawai’i. The objectives were to understand the community’s diverse needs and the work being done to address them, to identify effective intervention strategies, and to highlight areas requiring further attention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 social workers and community leaders within the Micronesian community in Honolulu. Key challenges identified included racism, language barriers, housing issues, acculturation difficulties, and misunderstandings in schools. Effective support strategies included youth events, youth leadership development, women’s groups, one-stop centers, and cultural navigators (Bilingual School Home Assistants). Some hopes for the future were the establishment and ownership of event spaces, implementing cultural sensitivity training for service providers and educators, and building organizational capacity. These findings indicate that while many organizations are effectively supporting the Micronesian community in Hawai’i, funding and staffing for these programs are critical. Furthermore, increased professional training and broader cultural education are essential for overcoming prejudice that hinders the community’s wellbeing.